The Effect of a Newly Designed Needle on the Pain and Bleeding of Patients During Oocyte Retrieval of a Single Follicle.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of needle type on pain and bleeding during oocyte pick-up (OPU).


METHODS
From May through November 2013, patients undergoing OPU from a single follicle without any analgesic treatment were including this study. Eligible patients (n=75) were randomized 1:1 to undergo the procedure with either a reduced needle (17 gauge body, 20 gauge tip; RN group) or a standard needle (19 gauge; SN group). Overall pain was assessed by patients using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and vaginal bleeding after the procedure was recorded. Fisher exact, t-test or Wilcoxon test were used, and p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.


RESULTS
The percentage of mature oocytes was 86.5% in the RN group and 91.7% in the SN group. Pain during OPU was significantly lower in the RN group than in the SN group (mean VAS score±SD: 3.2±2.0 cm vs. 4.9±2.2 cm, p<0.01; mean±SD). The frequency of vaginal bleeding was also significantly lower in the SN group (26.3% vs. 48.6%; p<0.05). The frequency of bleeding in the RN group was also significantly lower than that in the SN group (26.3% vs. 48.6%; p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to fertilization and pregnancy rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The newly designed needle significantly reduced pain and vaginal bleeding associated with single-follicle OPU in patients receiving no analgesic treatment, in comparison with a standard needle. The RN had no adverse effect on the quality of retrieved oocytes.
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Sugiyama Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
Koji
K
Nakagawa
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Sugiyama Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
Yayoi
Y
Nishi
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Sugiyama Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
Masayo
M
Kaneyama
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Endoscopy, Sugiyama Clinic Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan.
Rie
R
Sugiyama
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Endoscopy, Sugiyama Clinic Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan.
Hiroshi
H
Motoyama
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Sugiyama Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
Rikikazu
R
Sugiyama
Aspiration needle; Bleeding; Oocyte aspiration; Pain