Ultrasound guided embryo transfer significantly improves pregnancy rates in women undergoing oocyte donation

Abstract

US guided ET is simple and reassuring and appears to significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in ovum donation cycles by optimizing the placement of embryos.

Does Placement of the Catheter Guide Through the Cervical Canal Influence the Embryo Transfer Outcome?

“…Meanwhile, the position of the tips has been evaluated by some researchers, leading to the suggestion that they be placed at least 5 mm from the fundus, without touching it [22,23]. In addition, the use of ultrasound-guidance, first reported by Strickler et al in 1985, has facilitated the embryo transfers and been accepted as improving the outcomes in many published studies [24][25][26][27]. Studies supporting operator influence on the success of the procedure have been attracting more attention in recent years.…”

The Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Endometrial Receptivity Following Assisted Reproductive Treatments

“…Some showing an improvement in outcome (Al-Shawaf et al, 1993;Ivanovski et al, 2006;Kan et al, 1999;Kojima et al, 2001;Woolcott et al, 1998 ), others demonstrating no difference De Camargo et al, 2004;Garcia-Velasco et al, 2002;Li et al, 2005;Lindheim et al, 1999;Mirkin et al, 2003;Prapas et al, 1995 ) and others with mixed results (Fisser et al, 2006;Hurley et al, 1991;Prapas et al, 2001). No study has shown a worsening of outcome when ultrasonography is used.…”

“…In their study Lorusso et al, (2005); Kosmas et al (2007) shows that high overall pregnancy rates can be achieved when ETs are performed in patients with an empty bladder, whether they are performed under ultrasound guidance or not. Also, studies that utilize transvaginal ultrasound, requiring an empty bladder during embryo transfer, show an improvement in the pregnancy rate (Anderson et al, 2002;Kojima et al, 2001;Lindheim et al, 1999) suggesting that a full bladder required for UGET is not a confounder for improving outcome.…”

Recent literature with comments

“…Recent publications were reporting the beneficial effect of this device in patients with adenomyosis with a significant reduction of the grade of dysmenorrhea, blood loss and uterine size and decreased CA-125 (3,4,5). Hysteroscopic endometrial resection with or without the use of a levonorgestrel releasing intra uterine device is a valid alternative treatment option (6,7).…”

“…Using the ovum donation model to eliminate confounding variables, Lindheim et al assessed the impact of US guided ET on pregnancy rates, implantation rates, and multiple gestation rates (6). The authors concluded that US guided ET is simple and reassuring and appears to significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in ovum donation cycles by optimizing the placement of embryos(6).…”