Impact of technical difficulties, choice of catheter, and the presence of blood on the success of embryo transfer--experience from a single provider.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of technical difficulties, choice of catheter, and the presence of blood during embryo transfer on the results of in vitro fertilization and ICSI.


METHODS
A cohort of 784 consecutive cycles in 655 in vitro fertilization and ICSI patients were studied.


RESULTS
Negotiating the cervix, using the volsellum, presence of blood on the catheter wall or on the cervix did not affect the results. Changing the catheter and blood on the catheter tip reduced the pregnancy (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05) and implantation rates (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). The Ultrasoft catheter produced higher pregnancy (P < 0.0005) and implantation rates (P < 0.01) compared to the more rigid Frydman catheter.


CONCLUSIONS
Negotiation of the cervix, the use of a volsellum, and the presence of blood on the catheter wall or on the cervix do not affect the results. Changing the catheter and blood on the catheter tip significantly diminish the pregnancy and implantation rates. Soft catheters perform better.
Sallam
Hassan N
HN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt 21615. hnsallam@link.net
Agameya
Abdel Fattah
AF
Rahman
Ashraf Farrag
AF
Ezzeldin
Fathy
F
Sallam
Ahmed N
AN
D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy