Performance of different embryo transfer catheters in a human in vitro fertilization program.
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.
Wisanto
A
A
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Janssens
R
R
Deschacht
J
J
Camus
M
M
Devroey
P
P
Van Steirteghem
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation