Does rotation during catheter withdrawal in embryo transfer increase pregnancy rates?

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in pregnancy rates between groups that we removed directly and removed by rotating the embryo transfer catheter 360°. Methods: The study group consisted of 552 patients who were withdrawn by 360° rotation and 797 patients who were withdrawn without catheter rotation. All patients underwent one or two fresh ETs on day 3 or 5. Groups were compared in terms of cycle characteristics and clinical pregnancy rates. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics of both groups, such as age, body mass index (BMI), duration of infertility, causes of infertility, and basal hormone levels. Clinicals pregnancy rate, in the study group, 48% (265/552) and in the control group, 50.8% (405/797) were similar in both groups. When the implantation rate and miscarriage rate were examined, both groups were found to be similar. Conclusion: It was found that 360° rotation while pulling catheter during embryo transfer had no effect on pregnancy and clinical pregnancy.

Is modified embryo transfer technique related to an increased pregnancy rate?

“…However, as shown by authors, waiting before catheter withdrawal after ET (supposed to increase the contact time between embryo and endometrium) seemed to be the absence of any positive impact on the increased pregnancy rate. 11 Therefore, it is not surprising to find that the rotation of catheter by 360 degrees did not increase an additional chance for pregnancy rate during the ET procedure, as shown by authors. 11…”

“…11 Therefore, it is not surprising to find that the rotation of catheter by 360 degrees did not increase an additional chance for pregnancy rate during the ET procedure, as shown by authors. 11…”

“…10 We are happy to learn the following article published in the current issue of the Journal of the Chinese Medical Association to address this leading problem—to overcome the rate—limiting step (implantation) in ART. 11…”

“…Gurbuz and Yildiz 11 attempted to determine whether the rotating the ET catheter 360 degrees will increase the implantation rate or clinical pregnancy rate during ET process or not. The result showed that women undergoing the standard procedure or rotating the ET catheter 360 degrees had an implantation rate of 38.0% (509/1338) and 35.5% (324/912) implantation rate, respectively, without statistical significance.…”

“…Second, the use of the rotation of catheter may support the original hypothesis of the authors as shown above—no association with the removal of cervical mucus attached to the catheter tip in this attempt. As introduced by authors, 11 cleaning the cervix and removing the cervical mucus might result in an increased clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. However, a meta-analysis enrolling 8 radical controlled trials including 1715 women showed that the clinical pregnancy rate was similar in women with and without cleaning or removing cervical mucus before the ET procedure (risk ratio [RR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.67 in overall; RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.85–1.49 in the cervical mucus removal by the aspiration group; RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.33–2.27 in the cervical mucus removal with a cotton swab; RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.67–1.69 in the cervical mucus removal by the cervical brush group); with resultant conclusion as the possible small benefit of cervical removal before ET.…”