Ultrasonically guided aspiration of human oocytes

Ultrasonically guided puncture of ovarian follicles was attempted in 125 menstrual cycles to collect oocytes for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The punctures were performed through a full urinary bladder under local anesthesia on out-patients. A sector scanner with a puncture transducer guided a stainless steel needle and the follicular fluids were aspirated either in a chamber connected by tubings to a controlled vacuum and the needle or in a syringe attached directly to the needle. Follicles were punctured in all but 2 cycles and oocytes were collected in 80% of the cycles. A total of 287 follicles with diameters ranging from 14 to 30 mm were punctured. The oocyte recovery rate per follicle was 64%. The only complication was transient hematuria in 7 patients.