Human Reproduction vol.14 no.3 pp.677–682, 1999 Transfer technique and catheter choice influence the incidence of transcervical embryo expulsion and the outcome of IVF

3To whom all correspondence should be addressed We examined the influence of the procedures used in embryo transfer on pregnancy rates. Over a period of 15 months (Nov. 1996–Jan. 1998), 320 patients were recruited. They were randomized on an alternate basis either to a Wallace catheter or an Erlangen metal catheter. Randomiz-ation was also applied within the same groups for embryo transfer at 48 h and 72 h post-insemination. Fifty patients randomly selected from each group were subjected to speculum examination 15 min following embryo transfer, during which any fluid leaking from the cervix was examined for the presence of embryos. In five patients a transvaginal–transmyometrial transfer was performed. The pregnancy rate appeared to be slightly higher in patients who had their embryos transferred at 72 h tha