A RANDOMIZED STUDY OF TRANSCERVICAL INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER OF PRONUCLEATE EMBRYOS CONTROLLED BY ULTRASOUND VERSUS INTRAUTERINE TRANSFER OF4-CELL TO 8-CELL EMBRYOS

Objective: To establish the value of transcervical intrafallopian tran sfer of zygotes and the accuracy of fallopian cannulation. Design: A p rospective randomized study, comparing ultrasonically controlled trans cervical in trafallopian transfer of zygotes with intrauterine transfe r of cleaved embryos. Setting: Department of IVF of the Rotterdam Acad emic Hospital. Patients: One hundred forty-five patients with patent t ubes entered the IVF program. Main Outcome Measure: Pregnancy rates in both groups and ultrasound (US) assessment during fallopian cannulati on and ET. Results: Transvaginal cannulation of the tube appears not t o be sufficiently accurate when performed without US guidance. Cathete r damage occurred in many cases. The previously reported superior impl antation rate after intrafallopian transfer in comparison with intraut erine transfer could not be confirmed. Conclusions: Intrauterine trans fer of cleaved embryos remains the method of choice in IVF.