Transport in vitro fertilization--a novel scheme for community-based treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an inexpensive and extensive in vitro fertilization (IVF) service for the Mersey Region, United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Twenty-four transport IVF patients treated in two district general hospitals using the central university laboratory as co-ordination point for treatment schedule and embryology. Outcomes were compared with 26 control patients treated in the central unit.

SETTING

Royal Liverpool University Hospital, a central IVF unit, and two district general hospitals in the Mersey Region.

PATIENTS

Fifty patients under 35 years of age with irreversible tubal damage selected and treated by IVF, half in the central unit and the other half in two district general hospitals.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pregnancy rate (PR) in the different centers.

RESULTS

A PR of 42.3% per cycle in the peripheral hospitals compared with 30.7% per cycle in the central unit.

CONCLUSION

Transport IVF is an inexpensive and feasible alternative to standard IVF in a central unit for patients without access to central units.