The role of diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy in assisted reproductive technologies.
OBJECTIVE
To study the incidence of unsuspected endouterine abnormalities in patients for whom IVF-ET repeatedly fails.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Infertility Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.


METHODS
One hundred patients for whom two IVF-ET cycles failed in which > or =2 good-quality embryos were transferred.


METHODS
In-office diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.


METHODS
Relation between IVF-ET failure and unsuspected endouterine abnormalities.


RESULTS
In 18 patients, hysteroscopy showed an important unsuspected endouterine abnormality. Fifteen of these patients did not become pregnant after IVF-ET, and 3 became pregnant but had a spontaneous abortion. Histologic examination of the endometrium revealed chronic endometritis in 1 patient and tuberculous endometritis in another.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous studies have reported that the incidence of endouterine abnormalities is high in patients undergoing IVF-ET. Our data confirm the previous reports and lead us to conclude that diagnostic hysteroscopy should be performed on all patients before they undergo IVF-ET.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
G B
GB
La Sala
R
R
Montanari
L
L
Dessanti
C
C
Cigarini
F
F
Sartori
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome