Optimal time interval between hysteroscopic polypectomy and frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer: A retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Gynecologic Surgery

Background:

• Endometrial polyps can impact fertility and in-vitro fertilization outcomes.
• The optimal timing for frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT) after hysteroscopic polypectomy remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal interval between hysteroscopic polypectomy and FBT for maximizing pregnancy rates.
• To compare pregnancy outcomes in patients with and without a history of endometrial polyps treated with FBT.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 102 patients undergoing FBT after hysteroscopic polypectomy (cases) and 102 controls without polyps.
• Comparison of baseline characteristics, endometrial thickness, blastocyst quality, and pregnancy outcomes.
• Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify optimal timing interval.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in baseline characteristics or live birth rates between cases and controls.
• An interval of 120 days between polypectomy and FBT was identified as a critical cut-off.
• Shorter intervals (<120 days) were associated with significantly higher biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates compared to longer intervals (>120 days).

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy rates after FBT are comparable in patients with and without prior endometrial polypectomy.
• Waiting longer than 120 days after hysteroscopic polypectomy for FBT is associated with reduced pregnancy rates.
• Patients should consider FBT within 120 days of hysteroscopic polypectomy for potentially improved fertility outcomes.