Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 7, 1762-1766,
July 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Ultrasound-guided embryo transfer improves pregnancy rates and increases the frequency of easy transfers
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Cruces, and 2 País Vasco University, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, Spain
BACKGROUND: Recent reports have suggested that ultrasound (US) guidance during embryo transfer might improve pregnancy rates. METHODS: A prospective randomized (computer-generated random table) trial was performed to compare embryo transfer under abdominal US guidance (n = 255 women) with clinical touch embryo transfer (n = 260). RESULTS: The clinical pregnancy rate was 26.3% (67/255) in the US-guided transfer group compared with 18.1% (47/260) in the clinical touch transfer group (P < 0.05). The implantation rate was 11.1% (100/903) in the US group compared with 7.5% (66/884) in the clinical touch group (P < 0.05). US-guided transfer was associated with a decrease in the difficulty of the transfers: 97% of transfers were easy in the US-guided group compared with 81% in the clinical touch group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: US-guided embryo transfer increased pregnancy and implantation rates in IVF cycles, as well as the frequency of easy transfers. It is suggested that the decrease in cervical and uterine trauma can play a role in the increase in pregnancy rates associated with US-guided transfer. It is recommended that embryo transfer should be performed under US guidance.
Key words: embryo transfer/IVF/meta-analysis/pregnancy rate/ultrasound
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: María Diaz de Haro 7, 6 iz, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. E-mail: rmatorras{at}hcru.osakidetza.net
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