Embryo location in the uterus during embryo transfer: An in vitro simulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the location of transferred embryos under various parameters during embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF) by applying an in vitro experimental model for embryo transfer (ET). METHODS: Mock ET simulations were conducted with a laboratory model of the uterine cavity. The transfer catheter was loaded with a sequence of air and liquid volumes, including development-arrested embryos donated by patients. The transfer procedure was recorded using a digital video camera. An orthogonal design, including three independent variables (uterine orientation, distance of the catheter tip to the fundus, and injection speed) and one dependent variable (final embryo position), was applied. RESULTS: The uterine cavity was divided into six regions. The distribution of the transferred matter within the uterine cavity varied according to the uterine orientation. Medium speed-injected embryos were mostly found in the static region while fast- and slow-speed injected embryos were mostly found in the fundal region and the cervical-left region, respectively. The possibility of embryo separation from the air bubble increased from 11.1% in slow injection cases to 29.6% and 48.1% in medium and fast injection cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The experimental model provides a new method for investigating ET procedures. Fast injection of embryos into a retroverted uterus may be more likely to result in embryo separation from the air bubble.

Spontaneous reduction of an incarcerated gravid uterus after myomectomy in the second trimester: A case report.

RATIONALE: During a normal pregnancy, in the 1st trimester uterus lies in pelvis and enlarges in size as the pregnancy advances. By 14 weeks of gestation, the gravid uterus transforms from a pelvis to an abdominal organ and a retroverted uterus will correct as the fundus rises out of the pelvis and falls forward to its normal anatomical position. If the uterus remains in the pelvic cavity after 14 weeks of gestation, it is referred to as an incarcerated uterus. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 31-year-old gravida 3 para 0 woman was admitted to our obstetrics unit at 20 weeks' gestation with the complaint of severe persistent upper abdominal pain for over 12 hours. DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS: A diagnosis of fibroid degeneration was made through ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was hospitalized with conservative treatment. An abdominal myomectomy was performed at 22 weeks' gestation because her condition had deteriorated. Incarcerated uterus was not suspected even at the time of myomectomy. But within 24 hours after myomectomy, diagnosis of incarcerated gravid uterus was made by ultrasound. OUTCOMES: Incarcerated gravid uterus was found spontaneously reduced three weeks after myomectomy by ultrasound. A transverse Cesarean incision was performed at 32 weeks' gestation. A male infant weighing 2120 g was delivered with Apgar scores of 10 and 10 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. Postoperative course was uneventful. LESSONS: Incarceration of the gravid uterus is relatively rare and it is difficult to diagnose. This patient's findings suggested the incarceration of gravid uterus can be a transient abnormal position. The results of this study indicates that the incarcerated uterus when associated with fibroid is spontaneously reduced after removal of the fibroid.

Trans-abdominal ultrasound guided transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy is associated with reduced complication rate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and value of abdominal ultrasound guided access for transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL). STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and ninety-three infertile women were retrospectively included. A total of 31 subjects were included in the study group, and 162 cases performed prior to the introduction of transabdominal ultrasound guidance constituted a comparison group. The indications for THL were: inconclusive hysterosalpingogram findings and ovarian drilling for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovarian disease. The total of complications arising from trocar needle insertions are compared between the study (ultrasound guidance) and comparison (without ultrasound guidance) groups. RESULTS: In the study group, two cases were transferred to standard laparoscopy without vaginal needle insertion because of no obvious fluid in the cul-de-sac. One of these cases was confirmed to have severe adhesions and the other had no pathology in the pelvic cavity. One further case was transferred due to severe adhesions found by THL. Twenty-nine patients had successful vaginal access including seven cases with a retroverted uterus (24.1%), as against only one case with retroverted uterus in the comparison group (0.6%). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were three cases of intestinal perforation and one case of uterine injury in the comparison group, but no case of complication in the study group. Fifteen cases were fully conducted by two novel medical doctors monitored by a senior doctor. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-abdominal ultrasound guided vaginal access increases the safety of THL, especially in patients with a retroverted uterus, by seeking out a better puncture spot, and making training more intuitive and safe.