'Blind' transcervical transfer of gametes in the fallopian tube: a preliminary study

The aim of the study was to assess, in a small number of volunteers, the feasibility of transferring gametes by blind transcervical tubal catheterization. Forty patients underwent ovarian stimulation with a combination of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue and exogenous gonadotrophin. Twenty-six patients were submitted to echographical oocyte retrieval and subsequent blind transcervical tubal transfer of the gametes. Successful cannulation of the tube was achieved in 18 subjects, at the first attempt and in four subjects at the second attempt; in the remaining four subjects, three or more attempts were needed. No complications were recorded during the tubal transfer. Seven clinical pregnancies (27% of all transfers) were obtained: three ended in abortion (11%), one was ectopic (4%) and three were ongoing (11%). These preliminary results encourage larger studies using this approach.