Transport in vitro fertilisation: three years experience at a district general hospital

Transport in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an important development in assisted conception. We report our experience of transport IVF treatment from May 1993 to April 1996 at Arrowe Park Fertility Centre. A total of 74 patients were treated during this period. The main indications of treatment were tubal damage, unexplained infertility of more than 3 years duration, polycystic ovarian disease and endometriosis. Total number of simulated ovarian cycles were 101. Thirteen cycles were abandoned. Eighty-eight transport IVF cycles led to 29 pregnancies, giving a live birth rate and on-going pregnancy rate per patient of 31% and per cycle rate of 23%. There was one case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Of the 74 patients, 70 (95%) patients preferred to have treatment at the local hospital. Transport IVF is an effective, efficient and economic way of providing assisted conception at district general hospital. The success rate and safety of transport IVF are comparable with conventional IVF treatment.