Performance of different embryo transfer catheters in a human in vitro fertilization program

Abstract

In a prospective and randomized study on 400 consecutive embryo transfers (ETs), the performance of three different transfer catheters was evaluated. In cases of difficult ET, the TDT catheter (Prodimed, Neuilly-en-Thelle, France) performed the best. However, the pregnancy rate with this catheter was the lowest (9.2%/ET). A better pregnancy rate (19.4%/ET) can be achieved when TDT catheter was used under ultrasound guidance. The Frydman catheter (Prodimed, Neuilly-en-Thelle, France) yielded the highest pregnancy rate (32.3%/ET) but also the highest frequency of difficult transfer procedures. The Wallace catheter (H.G. Wallace Limited, Colchester, England) showed similar performance, but the pregnancy rate was lower (19.2%/ET) compared with the Frydman catheter. Therefore, the Frydman catheter is used as the first choice, and for difficult transfers the TDT catheter under ultrasound guidance can be recommended.