Two years' experience of ultrasound-directed oocyte retrieval

The first 2 years' data of an outpatient-based in vitro fertilization program relying on transabdominal transvesical ultrasound-directed oocyte retrieval (TUDOR) is presented. A total of 935 patients were treated. Ovarian stimulation was performed in 1538 cycles, oocyte retrieval in 1226, and embryo transfer in 960. All ovaries were accessible for oocyte retrieval, even in those patients in whom laparoscopic retrieval had failed previously or was deemed impossible. No major complications due to TUDOR occurred and the incidence of all complications was 1.5%. The clinical pregnancy rate was 19.0% per embryo transfer, but increased throughout the 2 years to 30.0% per embryo transfer. The technique is easy to learn, effective, and appears to be superior to laparoscopy in terms of ovarian accessibility and safety.