Empty follicle syndrome--does repeat administration of hCG really work?

In this retrospective case series with historic control subjects, repeat administration of hCG after failure to retrieve oocytes from the first ovary in the setting of unexpectedly low serum hCG levels resulted in unsuccessful IVF outcomes. This represents the largest case series to date regarding repeat administration of hCG in so-called "false" empty follicle syndrome cycles and indicates that patients should be counseled regarding the low likelihood of cycle success after repeat administration of hCG in this setting.