TUBAL VERSUS UTERINE TRANSFER OF CRYOPRESERVED EMBRYOS - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Objective: To compare pregnancy rates after fallopian tubal and uterin e transfer of cryopreserved embryos. Design: Prospective randomized tr ial with assignment to treatment groups by a random number table. Sett ing: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a tertiary care academi c institution. Patients: Forty patients with patent fallopian tubes an d at least three cryopreserved embryos. Interventions: Cryopreserved e mbryos were thawed and transferred to the fallopian tube by laparoscop y or to the uterus by a transcervical catheter. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates. Results: Tubal transfer of cryo preserved embryos resulted in statistically higher clinical (68% versu s 24%) and ongoing pregnancy rates (58% Versus 19%) when compared with uterine transfer. Conclusions: Tubal transfer of cryopreserved embryo s is highly effective and offers an improved pregnancy rate when compa red with uterine transfer of embryos. This method of transfer should b e considered in patients with patent fallopian tubes and at least thre e cryopreserved embryos.