Timed unilateral ovarian follicular aspiration prior to administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin for the prevention of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in in-vitro fertilization: a prospective randomized study

Unilateral ovarian follicular aspiration 6-8 h prior to triggeradministration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was performed or notin 31 women at serious risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)after ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF)- embryo transferor intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in this prospective randomizedstudy. Unilateral follicular aspiration was performed in 16 women (group 1)matched for age, indication for fertility treatment, and the amount andduration of gonadotrophin exposure with 15 women not receiving aspirationtreatment (group 2). There was a statistically significantly (P < 0.001)lower mean number of oocytes obtained from group 1 women (14.9 +/- 1.8 vs22.6 +/- 2.4). The fertilization (53.2 +/- 2.6 vs 65.5 +/- 1.35%) andembryonic cleavage (91.3 +/- 2.1 vs 90.2 +/- 1.75%) rates were similar inboth groups. OHSS occurred in women from both groups (group 1: 25% vs group2: 33.3%) being severe OHSS in two women from group 1 and one from group 2.We conclude that unilateral ovarian early follicular aspiration prior toHCG trigger administration does not reduce the occurrence of severe OHSS inwomen at risk.