THE INCIDENCE OF MAJOR CLINICAL COMPLICATIONS IN A DUTCH TRANSPORT IVF PROGRAM

Four different major clinical complications were identified in a retro spective analysis of 2495 in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles resultin g in oocyte retrieval, The severe form of ovarian hyperstimulation syn drome (OHSS) occurred in 18 patients, giving a prevalence for this com plication of 0.7%. Seven (39%) of these 18 patients had previously bee n diagnosed as having polycystic ovaries, Eleven patients were admitte d with moderate OHSS. Adnexal torsion was diagnosed in two patients, O variectomy was considered necessary in both cases, Complications of th e transvaginal procedure occurred in seven cases (0.3%): one patient h ad an acute appendicitis with puncture holes in the appendix, six pati ents were admitted shortly after oocyte retrieval with a pelvic inflam matory disease, Of the 624 pregnancies obtained, 13 were ectopic, givi ng an ectopic pregnancy rate of 2.1%, It is concluded that serious cli nical complications of IVF treatment are rare, However, patients shoul d be counselled for the occurrence of serious procedure-related compli cations before entering an IVF programme.