Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 7, Issue 6 339-343, Copyright © 1988 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Transvaginal oocyte retrieval controlled by vaginal probe for in vitro fertilization: a comparative study
D. Feldberg, J. A. Goldman, J. Ashkenazi, M. Shelef, D. Dicker and N. Samuel
Sherman Fertility Institute, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Golda Meir Medical Center, (Hasharon Hospital), Petah Tikva, Israel.
Of 142 patients who initiated in vitro fertilization cycles, 52 underwent
oocyte collection by laparoscopy, 58 by the ultrasonically guided
transvesical route, both under general or local anesthesia and 36 by the
ultrasonically transvaginal route under local anesthesia. When the three
methods were compared the results did not differ significantly. An average
of 6.4, 6.2, and 5.7 oocytes, respectively, were retrieved. Cleavage rates
were 82.6, 79.4, and 81.6%, respectively, while 20.2, 22.6, and 21.1%
clinical pregnancies per cycle were obtained. Complications with this
procedure such as exacerbation of previous pelvic inflammatory disease,
urinary tract infections, transient hematuria, and mild hemoperitoneum were
rare. In general, patients greatly preferred the transvaginal method. In
addition to providing greater comfort for the patient, this method requires
no general anesthesia and is less expensive than other methods. Our initial
experience demonstrates that in vitro fertilization can be performed
successfully through this simplified alternative to oocyte retrieval.
