Influence of ultrasound-guided artificial insemination on pregnancy rates: a randomized study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the influence of ultrasound guidance during intrauterine insemination (IUI) on pregnancy rates (PRs). The impacts of two different groups of providers were also investigated.

METHODS:

Study population consisted of 387 gonadotropin stimulated IUI cycles performed for unexplained infertility. The patients were randomized into two groups as ultrasound-guided IUI (n = 180) and classical IUI (n = 207). Pregnancy rates were compared. Two groups were further analyzed based on the experience of the provider (senior versus junior subgroups) who performed IUI.

RESULTS:

Pregnancy rates were higher in the ultrasound-guided IUI group (17.2%) compared to the classical IUI (10.1 %) (p = 0.042). In further analysis based on the experience of the provider; in the classical IUI group, PRs were similar for both subgroups, however, in the ultrasound-guided group it was higher when IUI was performed by a senior physician (21.7 versus 9.2%, p = 0.033). Logistic regression revealed that the experience of the provider was the independent variable for improved PRs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ultrasound guidance improves PRs only when a senior provider performs the IUI procedure. It seems that the experience of the provider physician is one of the determinants of IUI success.

• Authors: Ayla Sargın Oruç, Nafiye Yılmaz, Umit Görkem, Hasan Ali Inal, Berna Seçkin, Cavidan Gülerman
• Journal: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (Arch Gynecol Obstet) Vol. 289 Issue 1 Pg. 207-12 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1432-0711 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23892625 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Infertility (therapy)
• Insemination, Artificial (methods)
• Male
• Ovulation Induction
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Rate
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultrasonography, Interventional (methods)