Transrectal versus transabdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer in obese poor responders

Abstract

Background/aim Ultrasound guidance affects the success rate of the embryo transfer (ET), which is considered the most crucial step in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle. In our study, we tried to evaluate the role of transrectal ultrasound during ET in obese poor responder women. Patients and methods This pilot study was carried out on 70 women having intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. They were divided into two groups: group 1, women who had a transrectal ultrasound during ET (n=31), and group 2, women who had a transabdominal ultrasound during ET (n=39). Our primary outcome was proper visualization of the endometrium and catheter tip during ultrasound-guided ET, whereas the secondary outcomes were chemical and clinical pregnancies. Results The endometrial thickness was clearly visualized in 30 (96.77%) women of group 1 and in 17 (43.59%) women of group 2, whereas the catheter tip was clearly visualized in 25 (80.64%) women of group 1 and in seven (17.95%) women of group 2, with P values less than 0.001. In addition, the implantation, chemical pregnancy, and clinical pregnancy rates in group 1 were almost double those in group 2. Conclusion ET under transrectal ultrasound guidance may emphasize a better-quality image, resulting in improved pregnancy and implantation rates.

Keywords

• embryo transfer
• obese
• poor responders
• transabdominal
• transrectal
• ultrasound