[Collection of human oocytes by percutaneous aspiration using ultrasound]

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous follicular aspiration was performed in 10 patients taking part in our in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program, in which laparoscopic egg retrieval had been recognized to be difficult, due to severe adhesions. Twenty-three follicles with a mean diameter of 23mm were aspirated, and 12 oocytes were recovered, giving a success rate of 52% per follicle. The overall egg recovery rate was 64% (9/14) per procedure. In 7 cases the procedure was carried out under local anesthesia, in 4 cases under subarachnoid block, and in the remaining 3 under general anesthesia. Egg recovery was better under spinal and general anesthesia (6/7) than local anesthesia (3/7). The only complication was a transient hematuria found in one patient. These results suggests that ultrasound-guided follicular puncture is useful for collecting oocytes in the IVF-ET program, when the routine laparoscopic approach is not applicable because of severe pelvic adhesions.