Follicular flushing during oocyte retrieval: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the literature and identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in order to answer if performing follicular flushing during the oocyte retrieval may improve the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcomes.


METHODS
An exhaustive electronic search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Only RCTs comparing follicular flushing to aspiration only during ART, were included. We included 5 trials, with a total of 482 patients randomized, with median ages ranging from 30.5 to 37.1.


RESULTS
The data analyses did not show significant differences regarding live birth rate, clinical pregnancies rates, and the number of oocytes retrieved. The duration of oocyte retrieval was significantly increased in the follicular flushing group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that there is no advantage to use of routine follicular flushing during OR in an unselected group of patients.
Origen - Center for Reproductive Medicine, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Matheus
M
Roque
Marcos
M
Sampaio
Selmo
S
Geber
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome