Diagnostic laparoscopy v. combined screening laparoscopy and timed follicle aspiration for in vitro fertilisation

Results from ovulation induction and laparoscopic oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer were compared in two groups of patients to determine whether oocyte retrieval subsequent to diagnostic laparoscopy had specific advantages over combined screening laparoscopy and timed follicle aspiration. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the factors investigated in the two groups. This study was useful in demonstrating firstly that there are no absolute criteria for selection of patients for either diagnostic or combination laparoscopy. Secondly, the procedure of choice is a combined screening laparoscopy and timed follicle aspiration if a patient is willing to accept a failure rate of 7.4% (2/27 in this study) due to ovarian inaccessibility.