Follicular Flushing in Patients With Suboptimal Responses

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status: Terminated

Conditions: Infertility

Treatments: Other: Flushing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02277210

UW14-428

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of follicular flushing on the ongoing pregnancy rate in patients who developed four or fewer follicles of 14mm following standard ovarian stimulation for IVF.

Full description

Oocyte aspiration under the guidance of transvaginal ultrasound is an integral part in IVF treatment. Follicular flushing has been advocated. However, subsequent data from randomized trials failed to demonstrate any benefits with routine follicular flushing in normally responding patients. Instead, it has been shown to prolong the operating time, increase the procedure-related pain and analgesics requirement. Most of the IVF centers no longer perform routine follicular flushing in normally responding patients.

The potential role of follicular flushing in patients with a limited number of developing follicles is conflicting based on the recently published randomized trials. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of follicular flushing on the ongoing pregnancy rate in patients who developed four or fewer follicles of 14mm following standard ovarian stimulation for IVF.

Enrollment: 4 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: Under 42 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Age of women <43 years
2. Normal uterine cavity on saline sonogram
3. Endometrial thickness >=8mm on the day of hCG

Exclusion criteria

1. Planned not to have fresh embryo transfer
2. Cycle cancelled prior to hCG administration
3. Natural cycle IVF
4. Presence of hydrosalpinges on scanning which are not surgically treated
5. Presence of endometrial polyps on scanning
6. Undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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4 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Non-flushing group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Aspiration alone for all follicular larger than 10mm on both sides. Follicular fluid and flushing will be examined by the embryologists to identify any oocytes.

Treatment:

Other: Flushing

Flushing group

Active Comparator group

Description:

aspiration of follicles that are larger than 10 mm on both sides followed by follicular flushing for up to 4 times. Follicular fluid and flushing will be examined by the embryologists to identify any oocytes.

Treatment:

Other: Flushing