title: A new follicle aspiration needle set is equally effective and as well tolerated as the standard needle when used in a prospective randomized trial in a large in vitro fertilization program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of two different 17-gauge follicle aspiration needles used in a large in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized single blinded study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private IVF center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred women undergoing IVF were randomly allocated at the time of oocyte retrieval to either the study needle (n = 151; follicle aspiration set [FAS] set) or the standard needle (n = 149; Echotip) used in the practice. Patients were blinded to the needle used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of eggs retrieved/follicles visualized, retrieval time, mean amount of blood in the aspirate, egg damage, patient tolerance, physician acceptability, implantation, and pregnancy rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found in the number of eggs retrieved normalized to follicles visualized. Egg damage (4% vs. 4.2%), average blood in the aspirate (2.2 vs. 2.2), and retrieval time per egg (38 vs. 36 seconds) were similar with both needles. There were also no differences in pain or cramping scores (at 30 minutes and 24 hours after retrieval) or in the physicians' ratings of the two needles. The percentage of patients receiving an embryo transfer (ET), the implantation rate per embryo transfer, and the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer were comparable for both needles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FASs are equivalent.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Morristown, New Jersey 07962, USA. kmiller@rmanj.com
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elkind-Hirsch
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drews
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles / Q000592:standards; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000379:methods; D006080:Ovarian Follicle; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*