Ectopic pregnancy rates with frozen compared with fresh blastocyst transfer

Objective

To compare the rate of ectopic pregnancy (EP) with fresh versus frozen blastocyst transfer in our program during the same time period.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Setting

University IVF program.

Patient(s)

Women who achieved a clinical pregnancy after IVF between 1998 and 2005.

Intervention(s)

In our program, cryopreservation is performed at the blastocyst stage. Embryo transfer was performed 1 to 1.5 cm short of the fundus by abdominal ultrasound guidance.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The incidence of EP was examined in relation to fresh versus frozen blastocyst transfer.

Result(s)

In the frozen blastocyst group, there were 5 EPs out of 180 clinical pregnancies (2.8%), and there were 10 EPs out of 564 clinical pregnancies (1.8%) in the fresh blastocyst group.

Conclusion(s)

The rate of EP is not significantly increased after the transfer of frozen thawed blastocysts compared with fresh blastocyst transfer.

Key Words: Blastocyst, ectopic pregnancy, frozen transfer, in vitro fertilization