Authors: W de Wit¹; CJ Gowrising¹; DJ Kuik²; JW Lens¹; R Schats¹

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 13, Number 6, June 1998 , pp. 1696-1701(6)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

A retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory data was made of all in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients with tubal pathology who had their first ever embryo transfer cycle between January 1st, 1992 and September 1st, 1996. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the presence of a hydrosalpinx, whether or not visible by ultrasound, on pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and implantation rates in our patient population. The IVF success rate was also analysed by calculating cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates of the same patient group using the lifetime table approach. In the presence of an ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinx, rates of pregnancy and multiple pregnancy appeared reduced, but the differences were not significant. The rates of implantation, clinical implantation and ongoing implantation were significantly lower in the presence of an ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinx (odds ratios 0.33-0.46, C.I. 0.21-0.96). The cumulative chances of achieving an ongoing pregnancy after one or more IVF cycles was significantly reduced in the presence of an ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinx (relative hazard 0.36, C.I. 0.22-0.59). In the presence of a hydrosalpinx not visible by ultrasound the IVF outcome was not reduced. This retrospective study confirms that patients with hydrosalpinges have an impaired IVF outcome. Unique to this study and previously unobserved is the finding that there is a subgroup of patients with hydrosalpinges, those with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges, which is exclusively responsible for this impaired outcome.

Keywords: hydrosalpinx/implantation/IVF/pregnancy/ultrasonography

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: IVF Centre, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Academisch Ziekenhuis and 2: Department of Biostatistics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Publication date: 1998-06-01

More about this publication?

• Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Obstetrics & Gynecology
• By this author: W de Wit ;  CJ Gowrising ;  DJ Kuik ;  JW Lens ;  R Schats

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers