ULTRASOUND TRACKING OF THE MOVEMENT OF EMBRYO-ASSOCIATED AIR BUBBLES ON STANDING AFTER TRANSFER

The aim of this study was to investigate whether standing upright shor tly after embryo transfer has any potential to affect the position of embryos transferred to the uterine cavity during treatment with in-vit ro fertilization (IVF), This was assessed by ultrasound-guided trackin g of embryo-associated air within the uterine cavity, A prospective st udy of 93 patients undergoing 101 consecutive embryo transfers in an I VF programme was carried out, Transvaginal ultrasound guided embryo tr ansfer was performed with a second ultrasound in standing position imm ediately after transfer, allowing the movement of embryo-associated ai r to be assessed. No movement occurred in 94.1% (95/101) of transfers, movement of <1 cm in 4.0% (4/101) of transfers and movement of 1-5 cm in 2.0% (2/101) transfers. No movement of embryo-associated air out o f the uterine cavity, either into the cervix or the intramural portion of the Fallopian tube, was seen. Standing shortly after embryo transf er does not play a significant role in the final position of embryo-as sociated air and is unlikely to be a factor in determining the positio n of embryos transferred to the uterine cavity during treatment with I VF.