SHORT-TERM MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF 1500 OOCYTE RETRIEVALS FOR IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYO-TRANSFER

Objective: to evaluate the different short-term complications after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Design: a retrospective stud y on 7 years in the fertility clinic of an university hospital. Materi als and methods: short-term medical complications were analysed after 1500 transvaginal ultrasonographically guided oocyte retrievals. Resul ts: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (1.8%), pelvic infections (0.4%) , intraperitoneal bleeding (0.2%) and adnexal torsions (0.13%) were ob served. One case of adnexal torsion occurred during pregnancy (0.18%). Two unusual case of bowel endometriosis were encountered (0.13%). Con clusions: short-term medical complications after in vitro fertilizatio n and embryo transfer are rare (2.8%). This contrast with the high rat e of multifetal pregnancies which increases maternal and perinatal mor bidity and mortality and must be considered as the major complication of in vitro fertilization treatment. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.