Abstract
When the first successful delivery following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer was reported in 1978, oocyte aspiration was performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia. Since 1985, almost all IVF centers have collected oocytes using transvaginal ultrasound-directed methods for the good reason that these methods are the easiest, most accurate and most acceptable to patients. Color Doppler ultrasonography is recommended to decrease blood loss during oocyte aspiration. Embryos were gently, slowly and transcervically, expelled into the uterine cavity, with the patient in a lithotomy position. This basic method remained unchanged since the first description. Relatively important factors for successful embryo transfer include removal of hydrosalpinges, absence of blood or mucus on catheter, using soft catheter type, avoidance of fundus contact, avoiding tenaculum, removal of all mucus, ultrasonography of cavity before transfer, inject one embryo within 10 μL volume slowly 1.5 cm from fundus, trial transfer, ultrasonographic monitoring, and antiprostaglandins administration to prevent uterine contractions.
