Does catheter choice during embryo transfer alter the pregnancy rate?

BACKGROUND

Although every step in the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure is important, the impact of embryo transfer (ET) on pregnancy rate (PR) is significant. Of all the crucial aspects of ET the type of catheter used and the technique of transfer on the PR has drawn the maximum attention and controversy. We aimed to compare the outcome of two different ET catheters on the PR.

METHOD

A prospective analysis comparing the classical Frydman (Laboratoire CCD, France) and the soft Cook (Cook Medical, Indiana, USA) ET catheters was performed. Primary end-point was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR); secondary end-points were rates of difficult transfer. A total of 1,446 ETs were performed in women undergoing IVF treatment, of which 723 cycles were randomised to the Cook catheter and 723 to the Frydman catheter.

RESULTS

It was observed that, although the Cook catheter was related to a slightly higher PR, the overall comparison failed to indicate a significant difference in CPR. It was also seen that the ease of transfer did not significantly affect the PRs.

CONCLUSION

Individual variables during ET may not contribute significantly to the success of an IVF programme; however, a holistic approach encompassing all the factors is quintessential to improve the PR.