title: Efficacy of postal communication with patients who have cryopreserved pre-embryos.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the characteristics of patients who did and did not respond to a request for information regarding their cryopreserved pre-embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mail survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic-assisted reproductive technology program.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-six patients with cryopreserved pre-embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were surveyed by first-class mail regarding their plans for their cryopreserved pre-embryos and their interest in embryo donation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Age, number of stored pre-embryos, and duration of storage of responders and nonresponders at 6 weeks after mailing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-three patients (62%) did not respond to the survey. Compared with responders, nonresponders were significantly older at the time of embryo cryopreservation, had fewer pre-embryos cryopreserved, and had the pre-embryos cryopreserved for a longer duration. Five responders (9%) expressed an interest in embryo donation. Three patients requested disposal of pre-embryos. Sixteen surveys (12%) were returned as undeliverable. As a group, these patients had the fewest pre-embryos cryopreserved and had the longest duration of storage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A disturbing number of patients with cryopreserved pre-embryos ignored efforts by our program to maintain contact. Older patients with few cryopreserved pre-embryos may require special attention to avoid abandonment.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78284-7836, USA.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Brzyski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst; D015925:Cryopreservation; D006801:Humans; D011177:Postal Service; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors