title: Embryo reduction: our experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryo reduction technique is a feasible option for the prevention and management of the medical and obstetric risks associated with high-order multiple pregnancy resulting from assisted reproductive treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multifoetal pregnancy reduction was carried out in 51 in vitro fertilisation pregnancies (IVF) and one intrauterine quintuplet pregnancy resulting from intrauterine insemination (IUI) using transvaginal approach under ultrasonographic guidance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 52 embryo reduction procedures, 48 (92%) were performed between the seventh and eighth weeks of gestation, three between eighth and ninth weeks and one in the 10th week of gestation. Forty-nine patients (94%) underwent reduction from triplets to twins, two from quadruplet to twins, and one from quintuplet to twin pregnancy. The average time required for the embryo reduction was 5.0 ± 0.5 minutes per sac in early gestation (6th-9th weeks), increasing to 8.5 minutes per sac for later procedures, due to technical difficulties brought about by increased embryo size and mobility. All embryo reduction procedures were successfully performed in a single session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transvaginal ultrasound guided embryo reduction technique performed between seventh and eighth-weeks of gestation is an effective and safe procedure for embryo reduction.
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialists (Obst and Gynae), ART Centre, AH (R & R), New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Talwar
authors.affiliation: Consultant (Obst and Gynae), CH (SC), Pune.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialists (Obst and Gynae), ART Centre, AH (R & R), New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sandeep
authors.affiliation: RFWMO (Retd) (HQ Region), O/o DGAFMS, M Block, New Delhi.
authors.forename: Shashi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sareen
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor (Obst and Gynae), AH (R & R), New Delhi - 10.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Duggal
keywords: assisted reproductive technology; embryo reduction