Ricerc@Sapienza

Embryo transfer (ET) is an apparently simple procedure, but still not fully understood. Several variables play a role in the success of the embryo implantation: quality of embryos, grade of endometrial receptivity and not the least, the procedure of transfer. In fact, it is estimated that a poor technique is responsible for up to 30% of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure.
The aim of this study is to identify the pre- and intra-operative parameters to predict the degree of difficulty of ET and to establish the relationship between difficult ET and pregnancy rate (PR) in patients undergoing ART.
In this prospective study will be recruit 80 patients, candidates for ET following IVF/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ET will perform with the use of ultrasound guidance pre and during the entire procedure, in order to evaluate different parameters: the anatomical features, the thickness of the endometrium, the grade of bladder distension, the need for additional manoeuvres, and the classification of the procedure in easy or difficult according by the surgeon assessment. A pregnancy test will be performed 15 days after the transfer, in order to verify the status of pregnancy of the patients.
The results of this study may contribute to determinate the pre- and intra- operative parameters correlated to difficult embryo transfer and to evaluate their impact on reproductive outcomes in IVF.