[Tubal catheterization for transvaginal gamete intrafallopian transfer: an alternative technique for non-tubal infertility]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of transvaginal gamete intrafallopian transfer (TV-GIFT) for infertile patients with non-tubal factors. METHODS: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was used for all patients. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval followed by tubal catheterization for transvaginal gamete intrafallopian transfer of 3.3 +/- 2.1 oocytes (range 1-8) and 200,000 sperms in 50 microliters culture medium. RESULTS: The TV-GIFT was used in total of 23 treatment cycles. Of 23 cycles performed for TV-GIFT, the procedure was completed easily in 18 and difficult in 5, resulting in 5 clinical pregnancies(21.7% per cycle), 2 of which resulted in abortion, 2 ongoing pregnancy one was ectopic pregnancy. No pregnancy occurred in four cycles with only one oocyte transferred. CONCLUSIONS: Simple and cost-effective TV-GIFT may achieve a higher pregnancy rate. Compared with laparoscopically directed GIFT, tubal catheterization for TV-GIFT is safe and less invasive. It is an alternative for non-tubal infertility before entering the IVF-ET program.