REPEATED ASPIRATION OF OVARIAN FOLLICLES AND EARLY CORPUS-LUTEUM CYSTS IN AN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION PROGRAM REDUCES THE RISK OF OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION SYNDROME IN HIGH RESPONDERS

A retrospective analysis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in high responders undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is presented. High responders were defined as having >20 follicles and serum oestradiol > 3000 pg/ml after treatment with human menopausal gonadotrophin. Of the initial 30 IVF cycles in high responders, 23 developed a moderate-to- severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (76.7%). Subsequently, 15 oth er IVF cycles in high responders were combined with a repeated aspirat ion of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum cysts just prior to embryo transfer. Only three patients (20%) developed a moderate ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (P = 0.0004). We conclude that repeated follicula r aspiration is safe and results in a significant reduction in the inc idence and severity of this condition in high responders undergoing IV F.