title: A review and meta-analysis of prospective trials comparing different catheters used for embryo transfer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relative efficacy of different types of embryo transfer (ET) catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective randomized, controlled trials comparing at least two different ET catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertility centers providing treatment with in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF-ET).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing ET.
  
  
  METHODS
  Embryo transfer with soft or hard catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical pregnancy rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of seven prospective trials were identified that compared soft (Cook or Wallace) catheters with hard (TDT, Frydman, Tomcat, Rocket) catheters. The meta-analysis demonstrated an increased chance of clinical pregnancy when soft ET catheters were used. The TDT catheter was compared against both soft catheters and other hard catheters, showing decreased chance of clinical pregnancy when the TDT catheter was used. Six more prospective trials were identified comparing the Cook and Wallace soft catheters, and the meta-analysis of these data showed no demonstrable difference in clinical pregnancy rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increased chance of clinical pregnancy is achieved when soft ET catheters are used. There appears to be little difference between the Cook and Wallace soft catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. william.buckett@muhc.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Buckett
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000592:standards; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic