Transurethral ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization

Thirty-nine follicular aspirations for in vitro fertilization were performed in 30 patients. Oocyte retrieval was performed by laparoscopy in 21 cases and ultrasound-guided transurethral aspiration in 18 cases. All procedures were performed by the same ovarian stimulation protocol and the same aspirating needle. In the laparoscopy group 150 oocytes were recovered from 177 follicles aspirated (85%). The fertilization rate was 69% (104/150) and cleavage rate, excluding triploidy, was 82% (85/104) for oocytes obtained by laparoscopy. Five clinical pregnancies occurred in the laparoscopy group for a pregnancy rate of 24% per cycle and 25% per transfer. In the transurethral ultrasound-guided group 77 oocytes were recovered from 103 follicles aspirated (75%). The fertilization rate was 79% (61/77) and cleavage rate, excluding triploidy, was 90% (55/61). Three pregnancies occurred for a pregnancy rate of 17% per cycle and 18% per transfer. None of these differences were statistically significant. Transurethral ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval is a feasible alternative to laparoscopy for in vitro fertilization.