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 trigger administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was performed or not in 31 women at serious risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF)- embryo transfer or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in this prospective randomized study. Unilateral follicular aspiration was performed in 16 women (group 1) matched for age, indication for fertility treatment, and the amount and duration of gonadotrophin exposure with 15 women not receiving aspiration treatment (group 2). There was a statistically significantly (P < 0.001) lower mean number of oocytes obtained from group 1 women (14.9 +/- 1.8 vs 22.6 +/- 2.4). The fertilization (53.2 +/- 2.6 vs 65.5 +/- 1.35%) and embryonic cleavage (91.3 +/- 2.1 vs 90.2 +/- 1.75%) rates were similar in both groups. OHSS occurred in women from both groups (group 1: 25% vs group 2: 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 to HCG trigger administration does not reduce the occurrence of severe OHSS in women at risk.