Transport in vitro fertilization--a novel scheme for community-based treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an inexpensive and extensive in vitro fertilization (IVF) service for the Mersey Region, United Kingdom.


METHODS
Twenty-four transport IVF patients treated in two district general hospitals using the central university laboratory as co-ordination point for treatment schedule and embryology. Outcomes were compared with 26 control patients treated in the central unit.


METHODS
Royal Liverpool University Hospital, a central IVF unit, and two district general hospitals in the Mersey Region.


METHODS
Fifty patients under 35 years of age with irreversible tubal damage selected and treated by IVF, half in the central unit and the other half in two district general hospitals.


METHODS
Pregnancy rate (PR) in the different centers.


RESULTS
A PR of 42.3% per cycle in the peripheral hospitals compared with 30.7% per cycle in the central unit.


CONCLUSIONS
Transport IVF is an inexpensive and feasible alternative to standard IVF in a central unit for patients without access to central units.
Kingsland
C R
CR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, United Kingdom.
Aziz
N
N
Taylor
C T
CT
Manasse
P R
PR
Haddad
N
N
Richmond
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000639:trends*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D015181:Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology