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Impact of Technical Difficulties, Choice of Catheter, and the Presence of Blood on the Success of Embryo Transfer—Experience from a Single Provider

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the impact of technical difficulties, choice of catheter, and the presence of blood during embryo transfer on the results of in vitro fertilization and ICSI.

Methods: A cohort of 784 consecutive cycles in 655 in vitro fertilization and ICSI patients were studied.

Results: Negotiating the cervix, using the volsellum, presence of blood on the catheter wall or on the cervix did not affect the results. Changing the catheter and blood on the catheter tip reduced the pregnancy (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05) and implantation rates (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). The Ultrasoft catheter produced higher pregnancy (P < 0.0005) and implantation rates (P < 0.01) compared to the more rigid Frydman catheter.

Conclusions: Negotiation of the cervix, the use of a volsellum, and the presence of blood on the catheter wall or on the cervix do not affect the results. Changing the catheter and blood on the catheter tip significantly diminish the pregnancy and implantation rates. Soft catheters perform better.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt, 21615

    Hassan N. Sallam, Abdel Fattah Agameya & Ahmed N. Sallam

  2. Alexandria Fertility Center, Alexandria, Egypt

    Hassan N. Sallam, Abdel Fattah Agameya, Ashraf Farrag Rahman, Fathy Ezzeldin & Ahmed N. Sallam

Authors
  1. Hassan N. Sallam
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  2. Abdel Fattah Agameya
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  3. Ashraf Farrag Rahman
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  4. Fathy Ezzeldin
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  5. Ahmed N. Sallam
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Sallam, H.N., Agameya, A.F., Rahman, A.F. et al. Impact of Technical Difficulties, Choice of Catheter, and the Presence of Blood on the Success of Embryo Transfer—Experience from a Single Provider. J Assist Reprod Genet 20, 135–142 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022905618883

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