Are ultrasonic-guided follicular aspiration and flushing safe for the oocyte?

Oocyte collection was carried out in 53 patients by ultrasonically guided abdominal puncture under local or epidural anesthesia. Follicles were aspirated and flushed two to six times using a syringe with culture medium. A total of 196 oocytes was collected and 84 of those (42.9%) were found in the flushes. Mechanical damage was observed in 5.1% of the oocytes. Cleavage rates in mature oocytes (157) after 48 hr in culture were similar in the aspirate group (56.5%) and in the flush group (54.2%). Ten clinical pregnancies were obtained, corresponding to a pregnancy rate of 18.9%.