Es. Surrey et al., Impact of intramural leiomyomata in patients with a normal endometrial cavity on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycle outcome, FERT STERIL, 75(2), 2001, pp. 405-410
Objective: Assess the impact of intramural uterine leiomyomata and a normal
endometrial cavity on IVF-ET cycle outcome.
Design: Retrospective case-controlled analysis.
Setting: Tertiary-care-assisted reproductive technology program.
Patient(s): Three hundred ninety-nine consecutive fresh IVF-ET cycles were
performed in patients with a normal precycle diagnostic hysteroscopy; patie
nts were divided into four groups. Group 1: positive leiomyomata, age <40 y
ears (n = 51 cycles); group 2: negative leiomyomata, age <40 years (n = 57
cycles); group 3: positive leiomyomata, age greater than or equal to 40 yea
rs (n = 22 cycles); group 4: negative leiomyomata, age greater than or equa
l to 40 years (n = 59 cycles). A subgroup of all group 2 patients aged 35-3
9 (group 2A, n = 113 cycles) was also evaluated as an additional control.
Intervention(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, IVF-ET.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Implantation(IR), live birth (LBR) rates.
Result(s): There were no significant differences in LBR among age-matched c
ontrols: group 1 (49%) versus 2 (57.5%) or 2A (57%) and group 3 (40.9%) ver
sus 4 (32.2%). IR was significantly lower in group 1 (21.4%) versus 2 (33.3
%) or 2A (33.9%) but not in group 3 (17.5%) versus 4 (11.6%). Implantation
did not correlate with either mean leiomyoma diameter or volume.
Conclusion(s): [1] LBR was not affected by the presence of intramural leiom
yoma in IVF-ET patients with hysteroscopically normal endometrial cavities.
[2] A significant decrease in IR was only noted in patients <40 years old.
[3] Given the relatively high LBR in all groups, prophylactic surgical int
ervention cannot be justified, but precycle hysteroscopy evaluation is reco
mmended. (C)2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.