Effect of air bubble localization after transfer on embryo transfer outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Our study aimed to provide information about the effects of air bubble localization after transfer on embryo transfer outcomes.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 7489 ultrasound-guided embryo transfers. Group 1 included 6631 embryo transfers in which no movement of the air bubbles was observed after transfer. Group 2 consisted of 407 embryo transfers in which the air bubbles moved towards the uterine fundus spontaneously, a little time after transfer. Group 3 included 370 embryo transfers in which the air bubbles moved towards the uterine fundus with ejection, immediately after transfer. Group 4 consisted of 81 embryo transfers in which the air bubbles moved towards the cervical canal.


RESULTS
The four patient groups were different from one another with respect to positive pregnancy tests. Post hoc test revealed that this difference was between group 4 and other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
An initial finding of our study was significantly decreased positive pregnancy test rates and clinical pregnancy rates with air bubbles moving towards the cervical canal after transfer. Although air bubbles moving towards the uterine fundus with ejection were associated with higher pregnancy rates, higher miscarriage rates and similar live birth rates were observed compared to air bubbles remaining stable after transfer.
Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Bulent
B
Tiras
Umit
U
Korucuoglu
Mehtap
M
Polat
Ayse
A
Saltik
Hulusi Bulent
HB
Zeyneloglu
Hakan
H
Yarali
D000388:Air; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*