A new follicle aspiration needle set is equally effective and as well tolerated as the standard needle when used in a prospective randomized trial in a large in vitro fertilization program.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of two different 17-gauge follicle aspiration needles used in a large in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized single blinded study.

SETTING

Private IVF center.

PATIENT(S): Three hundred women undergoing IVF were randomly allocated at the time of oocyte retrieval to either the study needle (n = 151; follicle aspiration set [FAS] set) or the standard needle (n = 149; Echotip) used in the practice. Patients were blinded to the needle used.

INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of eggs retrieved/follicles visualized, retrieval time, mean amount of blood in the aspirate, egg damage, patient tolerance, physician acceptability, implantation, and pregnancy rate.

RESULT(S): No differences were found in the number of eggs retrieved normalized to follicles visualized. Egg damage (4% vs. 4.2%), average blood in the aspirate (2.2 vs. 2.2), and retrieval time per egg (38 vs. 36 seconds) were similar with both needles. There were also no differences in pain or cramping scores (at 30 minutes and 24 hours after retrieval) or in the physicians' ratings of the two needles. The percentage of patients receiving an embryo transfer (ET), the implantation rate per embryo transfer, and the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer were comparable for both needles.

CONCLUSION(S): The FASs are equivalent.