Impact of embryo replacement depth on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer outcomes.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of embryo replacement depth on IVF and embryo transfer outcomes. DESIGN: 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. SETTING: Anatolia IVF Center, Ankara, Turkey. PATIENT(S): All patients enrolled in the IVF program undergoing embryo transfer. INTERVENTION(S): No patient received any additional procedure or intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate (PR) and ongoing PR. RESULT(S): 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. CONCLUSION(S): 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.