title: Cervical dilatation with hygroscopic rods prior to ovarian stimulation facilitates embryo transfer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Embryo transfer is a critical factor affecting the success of IVF-the ease of embryo transfer has a direct impact on the success rate. The aim of this study was to assess the value of cervical dilatation with hygroscopic cervical rods (Dilapan-S) in patients with difficult embryo transfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients undergoing IVF treatment, who either failed to conceive after previous difficult embryo transfer or were noted to have difficult mock embryo transfer were retrospectively included in the study. In this way the patients acted as control for themselves. The Dilapan-S rods were placed intracervically and left for 4 h prior to starting gonadotrophin stimulation as an outpatient procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 54 patients who originally had difficult embryo transfer, 43 patients (79.5%) had subsequent easy embryo transfer. Thirty patients managed to conceive, giving a clinical pregnancy rate of 55%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical dilatation using hygroscopic dilators facilitates difficult embryo transfer and helps to improve the pregnancy rate.
authors.affiliation: The Assisted Conception Unit, University College London Hospitals, 25 Grafton Way, London WC1E 6DB, UK. paul.serhal@uclh.org
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Serhal
authors.forename: Domenico Massimo
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ranieri
authors.forename: Iffat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khadum
authors.forename: Rami Antoine
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wakim
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002064:Buserelin