Transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer improves pregnancy and implantation rates after IVF

Abstract

The use of transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer significantly improved both pregnancy and implantation rates. Although technically difficult, we suggest its use may maximize the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy outcome.

Abdominal Ultrasound-Guided Embryo Transfer Improves Clinical Pregnancy Rates After In Vitro Fertilization: Experiences from 330 Clinical Investigations

“…Kojima et al reported that 1.5 cm was a more suitable distance than 1 cm, and significantly improved the clinical pregnancy rate; distances of less than 1 cm also decreased the success of embryo implantation. In our study, a strong ultrasound echo was visualized at the time the embryos were released and 1.5-2 cm was the optimal distance, similar to the reported data (20). The visualization of embryo releasing also increases the cooperation between doctors and patients.…”

The Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Endometrial Receptivity Following Assisted Reproductive Treatments

“…Some showing an improvement in outcome (Al-Shawaf et al, 1993;Ivanovski et al, 2006;Kan et al, 1999;Kojima et al, 2001;Woolcott et al, 1998 ), others demonstrating no difference De Camargo et al, 2004;Garcia-Velasco et al, 2002;Li et al, 2005;Lindheim et al, 1999;Mirkin et al, 2003;Prapas et al, 1995 ) and others with mixed results (Fisser et al, 2006;Hurley et al, 1991;Prapas et al, 2001). No study has shown a worsening of outcome when ultrasonography is used.…”

“…In their study Lorusso et al, (2005); Kosmas et al (2007) shows that high overall pregnancy rates can be achieved when ETs are performed in patients with an empty bladder, whether they are performed under ultrasound guidance or not. Also, studies that utilize transvaginal ultrasound, requiring an empty bladder during embryo transfer, show an improvement in the pregnancy rate (Anderson et al, 2002;Kojima et al, 2001;Lindheim et al, 1999) suggesting that a full bladder required for UGET is not a confounder for improving outcome.…”

“…The value of abdominal ultrasound in addition of visualizing the catheter is to straighten the uterovesical angle which my make the insertion of the catheter easier (Sallam et al, 2000). Kojima et al (2001) tried to use vaginal ultrasound as it allows visualization of the tip of the catheter precisely and concluded that it increases the pregnancy and implantation rate; in the same time they admitted that it technically more difficult. The procedure did not gain popularity because of its discomfort to the patient.…”

The influence of abdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer on pregnancy rate: a preliminary report

“…The use of ultrasound guidance during embryo transfer in an effort to improve the pregnancy rate has been suggested; however, a significantly higher rate of pregnancy has not been consistently demonstrated (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). The objective of the present prospective controlled study was to determine whether the use of abdominal ultrasonographic guidance during embryo transfer improves the pregnancy rate compared with the current practice of clinical touch embryo transfer.…”