Cannulation of a resistant internal os with the malleable outer sheath of a coaxial soft embryo transfer catheter does not affect in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of cannulation of a resistant cervical os with the outer malleable sheath of a double-lumen, soft ET catheter on IVF-ET outcomes.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
University-based IVF center.


METHODS
One hundred forty-two patients undergoing 142 ETs.


METHODS
Trial ultrasound-guided ET at all transfers, leaving the malleable outer sheath in situ when the soft inner catheter could not negotiate the internal os.


METHODS
Implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
In 102 ETs (71.8%), the soft inner sheath easily negotiated the internal os (group 1). Forty ETs (28.2%) required cannulation of resistant internal ora with the outer sheath of the trial catheter (group 2). Implantation rates (35% vs. 32% in groups 1 and 2, respectively) and clinical pregnancy rates (50% vs. 45%) were not significantly different between groups. Blood was present on the transfer catheter after ET more frequently in group 2 than in group 1 (55% vs. 15%); however, neither the implantation rate nor the clinical pregnancy rate were affected by the presence of blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Cannulation of a resistant internal os by the malleable outer sheath and blood on the transfer catheter after ET do not have an adverse effect on implantation rate or clinical pregnancy rate.
Silberstein
Tali
T
Division of Biology and Medicine, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Brown Medical School, Providence 02905, USA.
Weitzen
Sherry
S
Frankfurter
David
D
Trimarchi
James R
JR
Keefe
David L
DL
Plosker
Shayne M
SM
D001769:Blood; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D015331:Cohort Studies; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome