IVF oocyte retrieval: prospective evaluation of the type of anesthesia on live birth rate, pain, and patient satisfaction.

Purpose: Does the type of anesthesia (paracervical block (PCB) or general anesthesia (GA)) impact live birth rate, pain, and patient satisfaction?

Methods: A non-randomized prospective cohort study was conducted in women treated for IVF. Two groups of patients were prospectively included: the PCB group (n = 234) and the GA group (n = 247). The type of anesthesia was determined by the patients. The primary endpoint was cumulative live birth rate by OR. Secondary endpoints were self-assessment of the patients' peri-operative abdominal and vaginal pain vs the doctors' evaluations during PCB, post-operative abdominal and vaginal pain level, and patient satisfaction in both groups. Pain levels were assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS).

Results: The live birth rate was similar in both groups (19.8% in the GA group vs 20.9% in the PCB group, P = 0.764). During oocyte retrieval in the PCB group, the physicians significantly under-estimated the vaginal pain experienced by the patients (3.04 ± 0.173 for patients vs 2.59 ± 0.113 for surgeons, P = 0.014). Post-operative vaginal and abdominal pain were significantly greater in the PCB group compared to the GA group (2.26 ± 0.159 vs 1.66 ± 0.123, respectively, P = 0.005, and 3.80 ± 0.165 vs 3.00 ± 0.148, respectively, P < 0.001). Patients were more significantly satisfied with GA than with PBC (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Because the LBR was similar in both groups and patient satisfaction was high, the choice of anesthesia should be decided by the patients.