Reproductive biomedicine online
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Aug 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialProficiency in oocyte retrieval assessed by the learning curve cumulative summation test.
The number of procedures required for a trainee to reach proficiency in oocyte retrieval and the criteria applied to define performance are not well defined. To evaluate the learning curve of oocyte retrieval, this study prospectively evaluated three trainees over 6 months. Oocyte retrieval was monitored by the learning curve-cumulative summation test (LC-CUSUM), a specific statistical tool designed to indicate when a predefined level of performance is reached. ⋯ Cumulative summation tests implemented after the learning phase confirmed that performance was maintained. The present study confirms the large variability in acquiring proficiency for surgical procedures. It provides an exportable model for a quantitative tailored monitoring of the learning curve and for continuous monitoring of performance in oocyte retrieval.
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Jul 2014
Comparative StudyICSI pregnancy outcomes following hysteroscopic placement of Essure devices for hydrosalpinx in laparoscopic contraindicated patients.
This study investigated the use of hysteroscopic Essure device placement for the treatment of hydrosalpinx-related infertility in patients with laparoscopic contraindications and compared their pregnancy outcomes following assisted conception treatment with those of patients having had laparoscopic tubal ligation. A total of 102 infertile patients were diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinges: 26 patients had laparoscopic contraindications and were treated hysterscopically and 76 patients were treated laparoscopically. In total, 66 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and 39 frozen embryo transfer (FET) procedures were performed. ⋯ Fifty three ICSI and 31 FET embryo transfers in 54 patients from the laparoscopic group resulted in 36 pregnancies, a 42.9% per transfer and 66.7% per patient rate. Live birth rates per ART procedure were 23.8% (5/21) in the hysteroscopic group compared with 32.1% (27/84) for the laparoscopic group. The hysteroscopic placement of Essure® devices for tubal disease prior to fertility treatments resulted in pregnancy outcomes that were comparable to the outcomes obtained following laparoscopic surgery.
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Mar 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialIVF with planned single-embryo transfer versus IUI with ovarian stimulation in couples with unexplained subfertility: an economic analysis.
Couples with unexplained subfertility are often treated with intrauterine insemination (IUI) with ovarian stimulation, which carries the risk of multiple pregnancies. An explorative randomized controlled trial was performed comparing one cycle of IVF with elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) versus three cycles of IUI-ovarian stimulation in couples with unexplained subfertility and a poor prognosis for natural conception, to assess the economic burden of the treatment modalities. The main outcome measures were ongoing pregnancy rates and costs. ⋯ In couples with unexplained subfertility, one cycle of IVF-eSET costed an additional €900 per couple compared to three cycles of IUI-ovarian stimulation, for no increase in ongoing pregnancy rates or decrease in multiple pregnancies. We conclude that IUI-ovarian stimulation is the preferred treatment to start with. When IVF-eSET results in a higher ongoing pregnancy rate (>38%), IVF would be the preferred treatment.