Genetics: Genetic analysis prior to selective fetal reduction in multiple pregnancy: technical aspects and clinical outcome

Multiple pregnancies resulting from ovarian stimulation areat a higher risk of carrying at least one fetus affected byMendelian or chromosomal anomalies, the incidence of which isdirectly related to the order of multiples. Genetic analysisbefore fetal reduction was offered to both high-and low-riskpregnant women carrying two or more fetuses after ovulationinduction. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and fetal reductionwere achieved by transabdominal needling. The use of short-termculture, the polymerase chain reaction and fresh tissue enzymaticanalyses have made it possible for genetic diagnosis to be availablein a few days. A total of 100 patients had multifetal pregnancyreduction performed by a single operator; all of them completedpregnancy and none was lost at follow-up. The total fetal lossbefore 24 weeks was 7% and no statistically significant relationshipwas found with the final number of fetuses and CVS. Perinatallosses (3.9%) were only present in the series with a final numberof two fetuses. Pregnancy duration and birthweight were significantlyhigher in singletons than in twins, but were not related toCVS. The rate of chromosomal disorders was higher (7.2%) inthe study series than in singleton pregnancies not undergoingfetal reduction. Diagnostic error due to incorrect samplingwas reported in 1.5% of cases. These data support fetal reductionas a valuable strategy to improve the outcome of multiple pregnancy.The outcome of pregnancies reduced to singletons was significantlybetter than of those reduced to twins, and was not related toCVS. Therefore, prenatal genetic diagnosis should become anintegral part of counselling on multiple pregnancy, and is stronglyrecommended when reduction to singleton pregnancy is requested.     

Heterotopic pregnancy associated with gamete intra-fallopian transfer.

Recent reports in the literature have focused on the increased risk of heterotopic pregnancy after the transfer of multiple concepti or oocytes. In an international collaborative patient registry between 1985 and 1989, 601 clinical pregnancies resulted from 2092 gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) retrieval cycles. Five of the pregnancies were heterotopic (0.83%). After surgical intervention, all five cases of combined gestation resulted in live birth from intrauterine pregnancies. Routine vaginal ultrasonographic examination of the adnexa in patients who conceive after GIFT may help early diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy. If the diagnosis is made early, conservative treatment may preserve the future fecundity of the patient and more intrauterine pregnancies may be salvaged.     

A prospective controlled study of in-vitro fertilization, gamete intra-fallopian transfer and intrauterine insemination combined with superovulation.

The relative effectiveness of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) combined with superovulation in the treatment of infertility were compared in 151 couples undergoing a single cycle of treatment. Treatment was selected as appropriate (IVF for tubal disease, GIFT or IUI/superovulation for nontubal infertility) but possible bias due to non-randomization was overcome by all couples having had favourable fertilization in a previous cycle of IVF. Furthermore, in a preliminary study of initial IVF treatment in 265 couples from whom the study patients were drawn, implantation and pregnancy rates in the diagnostic groups were similar. In the definitive study comparing IVF, GIFT and IUI/superovulation, the pregnancy rate observed with GIFT was highest (40%) but this was not significantly higher than with IVF (28%) or IUI/superovulation (20%). However, the implantation rate per egg transferred by GIFT (21%) was significantly higher than the implantation rate per embryo transferred by IVF (11%). Although the pregnancy rates with GIFT were not statistically greater than with IVF, a significant advantage is likely to be observed in larger groups in view of the better implantation rate. The lower pregnancy rates with IUI superovulation are to be expected because of limited ovarian stimulation, they are nevertheless of comparative interest.     

Eighty consecutive cases of gamete intra-Fallopian transfer

Eighty patients with the main problems of unexplained infertility,oligospermia and endometriosis were treated with gamete intraFallopiantransfer (GUT). From 80 treatment cycles, 29 women conceived(36.3%). Of these, four were biochemical pregnancies and thereforethe clinical pregnancy rate (25/80) was 31.2%. There were sixsets of multiple pregnancies, a multiple pregnancy rate of 24%.Three women (12%) miscarried. The pregnancy rates in the patientswith unexplained infertility, oligospermia and endometriosiswere 33.3, 16.7 and 38.5%, respectively. The transfer of fouroocytes appears to increase the pregnancy rate without increasingthe risk of multiple pregnancy. The presence of in-vitro fertilizationof excess oocytes after GIFT did not correlate with the finaloutcome of GIFT     

Reduction of multifetal pregnancies to twins does not increase obstetric or perinatal risks.

Selective reduction in cases of multiple fetuses is used more often nowadays due to the increased number of multiple pregnancies resulting from assisted reproduction. In this retrospective study, we investigated whether twin pregnancies derived from fetal reduction carry a higher obstetric and perinatal risk compared to standard twin pregnancies. We found that the rate of miscarriage was 10.6% in the reduction group (n = 158) compared to 9.5% in the controls (n = 135). Mean gestational age at delivery was 35.7 weeks in the reduction group versus 35.1 weeks in the control group. Mean neonatal weight at birth was 2.260 g (800-3.750 g) in the reduction group compared to 2.240 g (540-3.360 g) in controls. Perinatal mortality rate was 49.3 per thousand after reduction and 42.0 per thousand in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the above parameters. Therefore, multifetal pregnancy reduction to twins does not appear to increase obstetric or perinatal risks.     

Early transvaginal embryo aspiration: a safer method for selective reduction in high order multiple gestations.

Assisted reproduction technologies and ovulation induction for treatment of infertility continue to cause high order multiple gestations. Increased perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as maternal morbidity, may complicate these pregnancies. Selective fetal reduction, an acceptable therapeutic approach in these cases, is usually performed at or after the ninth week of gestation, with KCl injected in the vicinity of the fetal heart, and is associated with a total pregnancy loss rate of 11.7%. We report our experience with 90 women who underwent early (mean 7.5 weeks gestation, range 7. 0-8.0 weeks) transvaginal selective embryo aspiration. The mean number of viable embryos before and after reduction was 3.5 and 2.1 respectively. Six (6.7%) pregnancies were lost before 24 gestational weeks. One miscarriage occurred at the tenth gestational week. The other five pregnancies were aborted at 17.3-21.6 weeks gestation. Additional interventions were performed in three of these pregnancies: genetic amniocentesis in two cases and cervical suture in one case. In the subset of 39 patients with>/=4 embryos, only one (2.6%) pregnancy loss was recorded. This loss rate is significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the 15.3% loss rate in patients with >/=4 fetuses calculated from other work. Four (4.4%) other pregnancies were complicated by premature delivery (25-28 weeks gestation). Mean gestational age of delivered pregnancies in our series was 35.7 weeks. In conclusion, early transvaginal embryo aspiration is a simple and relatively safe method for multiple pregnancy reduction. The overall pregnancy loss rate associated with early embryo aspiration is similar to that of procedures performed at later gestational age, but is significantly lower when the initial number of embryos is four or greater.     

Pregnancy after direct intraperitoneal insemination

Direct intraperitoneal insemination (DIPI) and superovulationare simple procedures which may together represent a good alternativeto gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) in infertile womenwith patent Fallopian tubes. In the present study, pregnancyoccurred in 25 of 96 couples (26%) and six (24%) of these aborted.The pregnancy rate for all cycles was 19.6% and multiple pregnancieswere found in six of 25 (24%) patients. We observed no ectopicpregnancy. The combination of these techniques is concludedto be useful in achieving pregnancy in infertile women withpatent Fallopian tubes.     

Fetal ultrasound abnormalities: Correlation with fetal karyotype,autopsy findings,and postnatal outcome—five-year prospective study

A 5-year prospective prenatal study in 151 pregnancies with 152 malformed fetuses detected by ultrasound was evaluated cytogenetically. Thirty-five fetuses (23%) had abnormal karyotypes. Specific anatomical fetal malformations identified by ultrasound increase the risk for fetal chromosome abnormalities. Risks of abnormal chromosomes in the fetus are present with both single and multiple anomalies including amniotic fluid volume although the risk is increased with specific anatomical systems and multiple malformations. An abnormal fetal karyotype was present in 17% with a single anatomical abnormality and 30% when two or more anatomical systems were involved. Fetal hydrops, duodenal atresia, and omphalocele were the most specific single ultrasound anomalies; fetal hydrops, IUGR, holoprosencephaly, congenital heart disease, diaphragmatic hernia, duodenal atresia, and omphalocele were the most specific multiple anomalies with abnormal amniotic fluid volume. Termination of pregnancy occurred in 32/58 patients diagnosed prior to the 20th week of pregnancy with most (31/32) having a chromosomal anomaly or severe fetal anomaly. Fetuses terminated after the 20th week had chromosomal (7/18) or lethal fetal anomalies (11/18). The most common aneuploidies were trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and 45,X. The decision to terminate the pregnancy was based in most cases on the fetal ultrasound findings. Correlation of ultrasound and clinical findings is important for accurate genetic counselling. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fetal ultrasound abnormalities: correlation with fetal karyotype, autopsy findings, and postnatal outcome--five-year prospective study.

A 5-year prospective prenatal study in 151 pregnancies with 152 malformed fetuses detected by ultrasound was evaluated cytogenetically. Thirty-five fetuses (23%) had abnormal karyotypes. Specific anatomical fetal malformations identified by ultrasound increase the risk for fetal chromosome abnormalities. Risks of abnormal chromosomes in the fetus are present with both single and multiple anomalies including amniotic fluid volume although the risk is increased with specific anatomical systems and multiple malformations. An abnormal fetal karyotype was present in 17% with a single anatomical abnormality and 30% when two or more anatomical systems were involved. Fetal hydrops, duodenal atresia, and omphalocele were the most specific single ultrasound anomalies; fetal hydrops, IUGR, holoprosencephaly, congenital heart disease, diaphragmatic hernia, duodenal atresia, and omphalocele were the most specific multiple anomalies with abnormal amniotic fluid volume. Termination of pregnancy occurred in 32/58 patients diagnosed prior to the 20th week of pregnancy with most (31/32) having a chromosomal anomaly or severe fetal anomaly. Fetuses terminated after the 20th week had chromosomal (7/18) or lethal fetal anomalies (11/18). The most common aneuploidies were trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and 45,X. The decision to terminate the pregnancy was based in most cases on the fetal ultrasound findings. Correlation of ultrasound and clinical findings is important for accurate genetic counselling.     

Cumulative pregnancy rate from one gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) cycle with cryopreservation of embryos: a practical mathematical calculation

We evaluated the cumulative pregnancy rate from one gamete intra-Fallopiantransfer (GIFT) cycle plus subsequent cycles in which embryoscryopreserved at the time of the original GIFT cycle were transferred.All patients who had their first GIFT cycle in our centre betweenJanuary, 1989 and March, 1991 were included. Ovarian stimulationwas accomplished with leuprolide acetate (luteal phase protocol)and a combination of follicle stimulating hormone and humanmenopausal gonadotrophin. GIFT was performed with three to fiveoocytes. Excess oocytes were inseminated and good quality embryoswere cryopreserved at the 2- to 4-cell stage with 1–2propanediol. When the GIFT cycle did not result in a pregnancy,uterine transfer of cryopreserved embryos was carried out insubsequent unstimulated cycles. A total of 97 patients had GIFTand 46 pregnancies were achieved (47.4%). A total of 51 patients(52.5%) had embryos frozen; of these, 21 were from the non-pregnantgroup (41.1%) and 30 from the pregnant group (65.2%) (P <0.05). Up to now, 22 of them have undergone a frozen—thawedembryo transfer cycle, and two of them achieved a pregnancy.Based on these data, patients having a GIFT could theoreticallyexpect a cumulative pregnancy rate of 52.2%.     

Pregnancy: Age, pregnancy and miscarriage: uterine versus ovarian factors

This study was performed to evaluate the relative contributionof oocyte and uterine factors to the age-related reduction infecundity. The pregnancy and miscarriage rates in women receivingdonated oocytes were compared to those in women using theirown oocytes in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intra-Fallopiantransfer (GIFT) procedures. Oocyte donation with embryo transferwas performed on 241 women in 371 cycles; 116 of these womenbecame pregnant (48% per patient and 31.5% per cycle) of whom40 (35%) miscarried, giving a live birth rate of 20.5%. Assistedconception, in the form of IVF/GIFT procedures, was performedon 1331 women using their own oocytes in 2194 cycles; 627 ofthese women became pregnant (47% per patient and 28.7% per cycle),of whom 228 (36%) miscarried, giving a live birth rate of 18.2%.Neither the age of the donor nor the age of the recipient wasrelated to pregnancy rate. The age of the donor, however, wasdirectly related to the miscarriage rate. On the other hand,the age of patients undergoing IVF/GIFT was inversely relatedto the pregnancy rate and directly related to the miscarriagerate. In women of 40 years or over, the overall pregnancy andlive birth rates were significantly higher and the miscarriagerate was significantly lower in the group receiving donatedoocytes compared to the group using their own oocytes. In summary,we suggest that the age-related decline in fecundity is associatedwith the age of the oocytes rather than the age of the uterus.     

First trimester fetal reduction: its role in the management of twin and higher order multiple pregnancies

Multiple pregnancy may be the result of stimulated or non-stimulated,and of assisted or natural conception. As observed in the pastdecade, assisted conception technologies have significantlyincreased the prevalence of multiple pregnancy. The increasehas been much more marked for triplets and higher order births.Rates of perinatal mortality and fetal and maternal complicationsare higher in twins than in singletons, and the adverse outcomerises with increasing number of multiples. Unplanned multiplepregnancy may be felt to be emotionally and physically so stressfulan experience as to drive patients to refusal of pregnancy itself,or to want to reduce the number of fetuses to an acceptablestandard. Fetal reduction techniques have emerged as a veryeffective medical approach to improve pregnancy outcome anda key option of patients trying to carry a pregnancy to term.Multiple fetuses are most frequently heterozygotes; thereforethe risk of each of them being affected by a Mendelian diseaseor sporadic chromosomal aberration is an independent probability.Thus, the incidence of genetic defects in at least one fetusis increased and directly related to the order of multiples,and this makes it worthwhile to offer karyotyping of the fetus(es)to be spared, before the reduction procedure takes place. Whena multiple pregnancy is established, one may conclude selectivereduction is the most effective therapeutic approach for reducingrisks.     

Cumulative pregnancy and live birth rates after gamete intra-Fallopian transfer

To evaluate the efficacy of gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) the Kaplan-Meier life table method was used to analyse a patient cohort treated with GIFT between 1991 and 1994. In a tertiary referral centre for reproductive medicine, 1628 women with a median age of 33 years and various causes of infertility were included to calculate cumulative pregnancy and live birth rates. Age and cause of infertility were main factor variables and the study was based on a total of 2941 consecutive GIFT cycles, leading to a first clinical pregnancy, and 3052 cycles, leading to a first live birth. The cumulative pregnancy and live birth rates were 49.6 and 38.8% respectively, after three initiated cycles and 64.1 and 52.0% respectively, after five initiated cycles. The multiple pregnancy rate was 22.6%. The implantation rate of 13.1% after GIFT demonstrates that the developing embryo benefits from a period of exposure within the environment of the Fallopian tube. The present results indicate that approximately 50% of couples will have at least one live baby after five initiated GIFT cycles. Advancing age was a major negative prognostic factor for the cumulative live birth rate because of higher cancellation rates, lower implantation rates and higher pregnancy failure rates.      

Effects of female and male smoking on success rates of IVF and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer.

BACKGROUND: Smoking by both male and female partners may play a significant role in the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies. The objective of this 5-year prospective study was to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking by the wife, husband, and couple at various time points (e.g. lifetime, week prior, or during the procedures) on different biological parameters of IVF and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 221 couples, aged >20 years, of Caucasian, Black, Asian or Hispanic descent were recruited from seven infertility clinics located in Southern California. Couples (i.e. either female or male or both) who ever smoked compared with non-smokers, had adjusted relative risks (RR) of 2.41 (95% CI 1.07-5.45, P = 0.03) of not achieving a pregnancy, and 3.76 (95% CI 1.40-10.03, P < 0.01) of not having a live birth delivery, while adjusting for potential confounders. For couples who smoked for >5 years, there was an adjusted RR = 4.27 of not achieving a pregnancy (95% CI l.53-11.97, P = 0.01). The number of oocytes retrieved decreased by 40% for couples (smokers, n = 6) and by 46% for men who smoked during the week of the visit for IVF or GIFT. Women who smoked in their lifetime had adjusted risks of 2.71 of not achieving a pregnancy (95% CI 1.37-5.35, P < 0.01), and 2.51 (95% CI 1.11-5.67, P < 0.03) of not having a live birth delivery. CONCLUSIONS: There is compelling evidence that couples should be made aware that smoking years before undergoing IVF and GIFT can impact treatment outcome. This study may also provide insight into the timing and effects of male and female smoking on natural reproduction.     

Cancer and male infertility: Gamete intra-Fallopian transfer or in-vitro fertilization after failed ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination in unexplained infertility?

A prospective randomized study was designed to compare gameteintra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF)and embryo transfer in the treatment of couples who have failedto conceive after at least three cycles of ovarian stimulationand intrauterine insemination (IUI). A total of 69 couples withprimary unexplained infertility of at least 2 years' durationplus at least three failed cycles of ovarian stimulation andIUI were randomly allocated to either GIFT or IVF/embryo transfer.The clinical pregnancy rate was 34% after GIFT treatment and50% after IVF/embryo transfer. This difference was not statisticallysignificant. The twin rate in the IVF/embryo transfer groupwas higher than in the GIFT group (53 versus 17%, P = 0.005).We conclude that patients with unexplained infertility and failedovarian stimulation and IUI can still achieve encouraging pregnancyrates with IVF/embryo transfer or GIFT. Since IVF/embryo transferis the least invasive of the two procedures and may yield diagnosticinformation, we would favour this therapy; however, the numberof embryos transferred should be reduced to two to reduce therisk of twin pregnancy.     

The use of human follicular fluid in gamete intra-fallopian transfer

We undertook a prospective study to compare our gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) procedure with or without the use of human follicular fluid (FF) as a constituent for the final spermatozoal suspension and as the tubal transfer medium for both eggs and spermatozoa. We routinely perform an intrauterine and intracervical insemination (IUI and ICI) following GIFT, and FF or culture medium was used accordingly as a constituent in this spermatozoal suspension also. When FF was used (26 cycles), clear FF taken from the first egg-bearing follicle was sterilized by micropore filtration, gassed with 5% CO2 in air and warmed to 37 degrees C. This FF was then used to dilute the spermatozoal suspension (50:50, v/v) for both tubal, uterine and cervical inseminations at least 30 min before transfer, and all transferable eggs were placed into this FF before transfer. Alternatively (30 control cycles), eggs and spermatozoa were prepared and transferred in Earle's medium supplemented with 10% pooled fetal cord serum. The FF and control patient groups were relatively homogeneous, with no statistically significant differences in ovarian response, oocyte retrieval or transfer or seminal profiles. The outcome of the GIFT procedures using FF or culture medium showed no significant advantage of the use of FF. The clinical pregnancy rate was similar in both groups: 50% (15/30) control; 46.2% (12/26) FF.     

Hysteroscopic gamete intra-fallopian transfer: a good alternative, in selected cases, to laparoscopic intra-fallopian transfer.

Results obtained in two groups of patients treated with gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) are reported. Hysteroscopic GIFT was carried out in some cases where general anaesthesia was not advisable or possible, i.e. difficulties in tubal catheterization due to pelvic adhesions, extended distal tubal damage, patients' intolerance, lack of available operating theatre. Ovarian stimulation was started on 131 patients for a total of 147 cycles. Twenty-five cycles were cancelled because of failure of the ovarian response. Either laparoscopic (group 1; 73 patients) or hysteroscopic GIFT (group 2; 50 patients) was performed. In group 1 a mean of 6.8 +/- 3.4 oocytes per cycle were retrieved and a mean of 4.7 +/- 1.3 mature oocytes were transferred. The pregnancy rate was 30.1% per retrieval (22 clinical pregnancies). In group 2, a mean of 5.0 +/- 3.1 oocytes was harvested and 3.9 +/- 2.0 mature oocytes per cycle were transferred. Thirteen clinical pregnancies were achieved (26.5% per cycle) in group 2. Comparing the two groups, the number of recovered and transferred oocytes was significantly lower in hysteroscopic GIFT (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001 respectively).     

Intrauterine insemination and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in cycles before GIFT

We have combined intrauterine insemination (IUI) and controlledovarian hyperstimulation (COH), for the treatment of infertilitydue to different aetiologies, prior to performing GUT. To date,we have treated 186 patients over a total of 489 cycles. Themean age of the patients was 34.1 ± 4 years and the meanduration of infertility was 4.8 ± 2.8 years. Folliculardevelopment was induced with human menopausal gonatrophin (HMG).Patients were monitored using serum oestradiol determinationsand ovarian ultrasound. Two intrauterine inseminations wereperformed 12 and 36 h after HCG injection. Semen samples wereprepared utilizing one of two techniques, swim-up or Percollgradient. A total of 33 pregnancies have occurred, the grosspregnancy rate being 17.7% per patient and 6.7% per cycle. Thecumulative pregnancy rate was 30%. Thirty-one pregnancies (94%)occurred within the first four cycles of treatment. During thesame period of time, the pregnancy rate per cycle in patientstreated with gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) was 32.9%.Our data suggest that IUI combined with COH can result in pregnancyin a significant proportion of patients, but that the efficiencyper cycle of the technique is significantly lower than GIFT.     

Embryo reduction in multifetal pregnancies using saline injection: comparison between the transvaginal and the transabdominal approach.

A total of 30 patients with multifetal pregnancies, all resulting from treatment with superovulatory agents or assisted reproductive techniques, underwent embryo reduction. All patients had three or more fetuses (one sextuplet, two quintuplets, seven quadruplets and 20 triplets). The procedure was carried out using intra-embryonal injection of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Embryo reduction was carried out via the transabdominal approach in 10 patients, performed at 11-12 weeks of gestation, and via the transvaginal route in 20 other patients, at 8-10 weeks of gestation. In the transabdominal group, one patient aborted following repeated attempts at embryo reduction while the other nine gave birth to healthy newborns (eight twins and one triplet). In the transvaginal group, four pregnancies are currently ongoing (all beyond 28 weeks of gestation), 14 pregnancies resulted in a delivery of at least one live newborn (13 twins and one singleton), one patient had a late abortion at 24 weeks' gestation and another was delivered at 27 weeks' gestation due to severe pre-eclampsia. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided needle procedures are commonly practised in most in-vitro fertilization units. The employment of this route for embryo reduction, performed at an earlier gestational age and with the use of a non-toxic substance such as 0.9% saline solution, is advocated.     

Hysteroscopic treatment of severe Asherman's syndrome and subsequent fertility.

In a retrospective case report series, we evaluated the efficacy of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in patients with severe Asherman's syndrome. In 31 patients with permanent severe adhesions, hysteroscopic treatment was performed. In all patients, uterine cavity with at least one free ostial area was restored after one (n = 16), two (n = 7), three (n = 7), and four (n = 1) surgical procedures. All previously amenorrhoeic patients (n = 16) had resumption of menses. Twenty-eight patients were followed-up with a mean time of 31 months (range 2-84). Fifteen pregnancies were obtained in 12 patients and the outcomes were the following: two first trimester missed abortions, three second trimester fetal losses, one second trimester termination of pregnancy for multiple fetal abnormalities and nine live births in nine different patients. Pregnancy rate after treatment was 12/28 (42.8%) and live birth rate was 9/28 (32.1%). In patients 35 years (P = 0. 01). Three patients were lost to follow-up and their results omitted. In nine patients with live births, one Caesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta and one hypogastric arteries ligation for severe haemorrhage and placenta accreta were performed. Hysteroscopic treatment of severe Asherman's syndrome appeared to be effective for the reconstruction of a functional uterine cavity with a 42.8% pregnancy rate. However, these pregnancies were at risk for haemorrhage with abnormal placentation.