Transabdominal ultrasound guidance is the golden standard for embryo transfers. Transvaginal ultrasound guidance was proposed recently to provide better visualization and reduce patient discomfort as embryo transfer can be performed with an empty bladder in this case. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are any differences between transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer in terms of ease of use, patient satisfaction, and treatment outcome.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
346
Embryo transfer of two day-3 embryos performed with the Kitazato Long ET catheter (Kitazato Medical Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), guided by transvaginal ultrasound
Embryo transfer of two day-3 embryos performed with the Cook Soft-Trans ET catheter (Cook Medical Inc., Bloomington, IN, USA), guided by transabdominal ultrasound
IVI Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Pregnancy rate
Proportion of patients with a positive pregnancy test
Time frame: At performing the pregnancy test 11 days post-embryo transfer
Clinical pregnancy rate
Proportion of patients with at least one gestational sac at first pregnancy ultrasound
Time frame: At first pregnancy ultrasound (3 weeks post-embryo transfer)
Ongoing pregnancy rate
Proportion of patients with at least one live intrauterine fetus at 10 weeks post-embryo transfer
Time frame: At 10 weeks post-embryo transfer
Menstruation-like pain
Measured on a three-level scale (none/mild/strong)
Time frame: At embryo transfer
Discomfort related to vesical distension
Measured on a three-level scale (none/mild/strong)
Time frame: At embryo transfer
Overall discomfort
Measured on a three-level scale (none/mild/strong)
Time frame: At embryo transfer
Difficulty using the assigned technique faced by operators
Measured on a three-level scale (easy/moderately difficult/very difficult)
Time frame: At embryo transfer
Catheterization time
Time frame: At embryo transfer
Conversion to the opposite technique
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Proportion of cases in which embryo transfer was performed using the technique of the opposite randomization arm (i.e., proportion of patients randomized to have transabdominal ultrasound-guided transfer in whom transvaginal ultrasound-guided was performed, and the other way around)
Time frame: At embryo transfer