title: Impact of embryo replacement depth on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the impact of embryo replacement depth on IVF and embryo transfer outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis (May 2005 to November 2008) of 5,055 ultrasound-guided embryo transfers belonging to 3,930 infertile couples. The distance between the fundal endometrial surface and the catheter tip was measured and accordingly, patients were divided into five groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anatolia IVF Center, Ankara, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients enrolled in the IVF program undergoing embryo transfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  No patient received any additional procedure or intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical pregnancy rate (PR) and ongoing PR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean total number of embryos transferred in groups 4 and 5 were significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3. Analysis of PRs and outcome of gestations in the five groups studied yielded similar PRs in all groups except for group 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy rates and ongoing PRs are higher if the embryos are replaced at a distance >10 mm from the fundal endometrial surface. In addition because significantly more embryos were replaced in cycles where the transfers occurred at a distance of >20 mm, a distance>10 mm to <20 mm seems to be the best site for embryo transfer to achieve higher PRs.
authors.affiliation: Anatolia IVF Center, Ankara, Turkey; Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tiras
authors.affiliation: Anatolia IVF Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehtap
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.affiliation: Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: korucu23@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Korucuoglu
authors.affiliation: Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hulusi Bulent
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Zeyneloglu
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yarali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult