GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER - PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED COMPARISON BETWEEN HYSTEROSCOPIC AND LAPAROSCOPIC TRANSFER TECHNIQUES

Objective: To test the efficiency and overall acceptability of hystero scopic GIFT when compared with laparoscopic GIFT. Design: We performed a randomized comparison between these techniques as regards pregnancy rate (PR), implantation rate, miscarriage rate, and ectopic pregnancy rate (ectopic PR). Setting: All patients were enrolled for GIFT proce dures in our Reproductive Medicine Unit. Patients: We enrolled 133 pat ients showing documented tubal patency at a previous diagnostic laparo scopy. Interventions: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog and FSH we re administered to induce superovulation in all patients, who were the n randomized for hysteroscopic GIFT or laparoscopic GIFT. Laparoscopic GIFT was performed under general anesthesia while, during hysteroscop ic GIFT, oocyte retrievals were transvaginal ultrasound guided and tra nsfers were performed by cannulating tubal ostia after hysteroscopic v isualization. Main Outcome Measure: The efficacy was evaluated compari ng PR, implantation rate, miscarriage rate, and ectopic PR. Results: P regnancy rate and implantation rate of hysteroscopic GIFT procedures ( 29.8% and 9%, respectively) are not significantly different from those obtained with laparoscopic GIFT (43.3% and 14%). Conclusions: Hystero scopic GIFT is safe and easy and quick to perform. Moreover, it does n ot require hospital admission, general anesthesia, or the operating th eater, reducing costs and assuring advantages in terms of low psychoph ysical involvement and repeatability.