Use of an Ellik evacuator to remove tenacious bladder clots resulting from transvaginal oocyte retrieval: 2 cases and a literature review

Abstract

Objective: Transvaginal oocyte retrieval has become the common method for infertility couples undergoing artificial reproductive technology. Although it was considered to be safe, rare complications including urinary bladder injury were reported. Case report: We described two cases of bladder injury with refractory blood clots after oocyte retrieval, for whom conservative treatment failed. Diagnostic cystoscopy was performed and an Ellik evacuator was used for clot dissolution successfully. Conclusion: Urinary bladder injury with clots retention is a rare complication following ovary puncture. When tenacious clots become organized, the removal with traditional bladder irrigation may be difficult. We introduce Ellik evacuator as an effective and reliable procedure for evacuating tenacious clots in the urinary bladder. Keywords: Transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR), Bladder injury, Hematuria, Tenacious clot, Ellik