Ultrasonically guided oocyte collection under local anesthesia: the first choice method for in vitro fertilization--a comparative study with laparoscopy

Abstract

Ultrasonically guided oocyte collection gradually replaces laparoscopy in many in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers. In the present study we compare the efficacy of both methods in our IVF program. One hundred twenty patients were prospectively randomized into two groups. Sixty women underwent oocyte collection during laparoscopy under general anesthesia, and 60 women under ultrasound guidance with local anesthesia. Superovulation was induced with human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin. For the oocyte collection a cannula with a trocar was used for single percutaneous puncture, through which both ovaries could be reached by the aspiration needle. The number of aspirated oocytes and transferred embryos was higher in the laparoscopy group as compared with the ultrasound group (5.3 versus 4.0 per woman and 3.0 versus 2.3 per woman, respectively); but the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was similar in both groups (12.5% versus 14.5%). Ultrasound aspiration seems to be as effective as laparoscopy in terms of oocyte retrieval and conception rates. Because the procedure is simple and inexpensive, we believe that it may replace laparoscopy as a method for oocyte collection in most patients who undergo IVF.