A transvaginal sonographic needle-guided method of ovum pickup in a fertilization in vitro/embryo transfer program

Methods of ovum pickup in the IVF/ET program in our hospital from January 1st 1988 to January 31st 1989, were reported. In the initial stage of the program in 1987, laparotomy follicle aspiration was used, which resulted in two cases of clinical pregnancy and full term delivery. Ovum pickup using an ultrasonic endovaginal transducer with a needle guide was introduced in the latter part of 1987. In 1988, the transvaginal method was employed more frequently than the laparotomy and has since become the routine in our program. The rate of embryo transfer and the average number of embryos transferred were quite similar in the two groups. Either method was adopted at that time according to the facilities available and the characteristic pathological conditions of our patients, of whom most had previous history of operation resulting in severe pelvic adhesions. The transvaginal ultrasonic needle guided method for egg retrieval is non-invasive, readily accepted by the patients and therefore may be done repeatedly on one patient in order to increase the cumulative pregnancy rate. However, the laparotomy (transabdominal) route for ovum pickup together with other pelvic surgeries is still indicated in some cases. The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer showed no statistical difference between the two groups.