Rescue hCG to treat empty follicle syndrome after the use of a GnRH agonist as oocyte maturation trigger: First report on fresh embryo transfer and clinical pregnancy.

We present a case series and literature review on the use of rescue human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in cases of empty follicle syndrome (EFS) after a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger. EFS was diagnosed after failure to collect any oocytes from one ovary. In such cases, a single dose of hCG was administered and the oocyte retrieval was repeated 36 h later.

Age-specific serum FSH concentrations and their correlation with the outcome of ovarian stimulation for IVF.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether age-specific FSH concentration can be a predictor of the outcome of ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF, with various basal FSH (bFSH) concentrations but within the normal range, i.e. < or = 9.

A prospective randomized controlled trial of Wallace and Rocket embryo transfer catheters.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two embryo transfer catheters: Wallace and Rocket Embryon in an IVF programme of a tertiary referral university centre. A total of 308 patients undergoing embryo transfer were prospectively randomized to either a transfer with the Wallace catheter or a transfer with the Rocket catheter. The main outcome measure in this study was the clinical pregnancy rate, and secondary outcome measures included implantation rate, visibility of the catheter under ultrasound, number of retained embryos post transfer, and whether change of catheter was required.

Live birth following preimplantation genetic screening for trisomy 21. Should aneuploidy screening be offered to all older patients undergoing IVF?

A 42-year-old female patient with history of secondary infertility was referred to our assisted conception unit for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Before her referral, she had two cycles of IVF at another centre; the first was unsuccessful and, after conceiving at the second attempt, the pregnancy was terminated at 14 weeks' gestation following a positive nuchal translucency scan and a diagnosis of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) by a chorionic villous biopsy performed in the first trimester. The screening tests for trisomy 21 were offered to the patient in view of her advanced age.

The J-Tip Needle-Free Injection System in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in in vitro fertilization: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a novel needle-free system (J-Tip) in the administration of gonadotropins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in IVF.

Design: An open-label, single-center, pilot study.

Setting: Assisted conception unit of a university hospital.

A dedicated ectopic pregnancy team leads to an improvement in patients' management.

Introduction: The aim of the study is to determine whether a dedicated ectopic pregnancy team improves the management of haemodynamically stable patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy who do not require immediate life-saving surgery.

Methods: A non-randomized population based study involving 210 patients admitted with a suspected ectopic pregnancy over a 2-year period in a university teaching hospital in the UK, was carried out to compare the management of those women before and after the introduction of the ectopic pregnancy team.

Results: Following the introduction of an ectopic pregnancy team, there were fewer laparotomies performed, fewer negative diagnostic laparoscopies, a reduced overall surgical intervention rate, and a reduced duration of hospital stay.

Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy using the plasma kinetic and lap loop systems: an alternative approach in the surgical management of women with uterine fibroids.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and applicability of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH) using the plasma kinetic (PK) and lap loop systems as an alternative surgical approach in the management of uterine fibroids in women who have completed their families.

Study Design: Sixty-two consecutive LSH were performed during this prospective study from March 2003 to March 2005 at Princess Royal University Hospital, Kent, UK.

Results: All study patients had menorrhagia resistant to at least one form of therapy, with a mean duration of symptoms of 3.

Maternal C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing frozen embryo replacement cycles: a prospective study.

This prospective study shows that the early pregnancy inflammatory response following frozen embryo replacement (FER) cycles may be absent or suppressed, in contrast to that following IVF. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the maternal inflammatory response following FER cycles, but larger studies are still required to explore this novel finding, and investigate whether this may explain the lower ongoing pregnancy rates generally achieved following FER cycles.

Thrombocythemia and hemoperitoneum after transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To present the first report of massive hemoperitoneum in a case of essential thrombocythemia after transvaginal oocyte retrieval for IVF and review the relevant literature related to the management of patients with this condition.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Assisted conception unit of a tertiary care university hospital in the United Kingdom.

A review of complications following transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization.

Transvaginal ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval (TVOR) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was first described in 1985. By virtue of its simplicity and effectiveness, it has gained widespread popularity and has now become the gold standard for IVF therapy. Nevertheless, despite the advantages, the aspiration needle may injure the adjacent pelvic organs and structures leading to serious complications.