Comparison Of Successfulancy Pregnancy Rate Between Flexible And Rigid Catheter In Intra Uterine Insemination

COMPARISON OF SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY RATE BETWEEN FLEXIBLE AND RIGID CATHETER IN INTRA UTERINE INSEMINATION
Rusda M, Halim B, Kaban YB, Sahil MF, Efendi IH, Barus RC
Fertility, Endocrinology and Reproductive Division – Departement of Obstetric and Gynecology Medical Faculty – Universitas Sumatera Utara Medan, Indonesia, October 2013

INTRODUCTION
Background
At present, many couples presenting with fertility problems seek advice for subfertility. Some of these couples will undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI) or artificial insemination (AI). In spite of the success with newer and more sophisticated assisted reproductive technique (ART). IUI remains the recommended treatment for couples with unexplained subfertility. The rationale for this is that IUI is a successful low cost alternative when compared to the more advanced fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI ). The costs of IUI are considerably lower, the pregnancy rates are similar and the procedure is less stressful and invasive compared to IVF and ICSI.

In a systematic review of embryo transfer ( ET ) catheters, the softness of the catheters was found to be a determining factor in the success of ET procedure. It is still unclear but it is presumed to be associated with reduced traumatic effects of flexible catheter during introduction of the embryo into the uterine cavity. Number of cycles in which blood on the catheter tip is present to examine if there is a difference in traumatic effects among flexible and rigid catheters.
In the other hand, the impact of the choice of IUI catheter on the treatment outcome has been poorly investigated and data comparing different types of IUI catheters are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate comparison of succesful pregnancy rate between flexible and rigid catheter in intra uterine insemination.

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Methods
The study design was an analytic observational with cohort study design to evaluate the comparison of succesful pregnancy rate between flexible and rigid catheter in intra uterine insemination were performed at the Halim Fertility Centre and Stella Maris – Women and Children Hospital in Medan from July until September 2013. The samples were all patients seeking treatment who undergo intra uterine insemination. All patient than got ovarian stimulation before intra uterine insemination was taken. Analysis between variables was conducted using chi square to measure proportion, p- value under 0,05 is consider as statistically significance results.
Results
There is no difference between age group of women who undergo intra uterine insemination using flexible or rigid catheters, 30.90 + 4.52 year and 32.53 + 3,97 year, respectively.
Montanaro et al in 2001 through a retrospective study over 5.5 years with 273 cycles IIU get women aged 17 mm 1 folicle
more than 1

Rigid Catheter

n=30

Flexible Catheter
n=30

7 ( 23,3% ) 23 ( 76,7%)

8 ( 26,7% ) 22 ( 73,3 % )

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folicle Endometrial thickness ( mm )

8.47 ± 1.77 8.63 ± 1.97

Number of sperms using

11.29 x 106± 8.11

12.04 x 106 ± 8.72


Both groups have the number of follicles with a diameter of more than 17 mm, each 23 patients (76.7%) in the rigid group and 22 patients (73.3%) in the flexible catheter. Farimani et al in 2007 suggested that from 463 cycles done, the average of the follicles> 16 mm is a good predictor associated with increased rate of pregnancy.

more than 2 x 10 6 related with increasing success rate of IIU.

Table 3. Factors encountered during insemination

Factors
Failed for insertion Blood in catheter tip
Yes No Uncomfor table Yes No Reflux Yes No

Rigid Flexible
n=30
0 ( 0% )

Flexible Catheter
n=30
0 ( 0% )

p-value


18 ( 60% ) 12 ( 40% )

17 ( 56,7% ) 13 ( 43,3% )

0,793*

13 ( 43,3% ) 17 ( 56,7% )

9 ( 30% ) 21 ( 70% )

0,284*

8 ( 26,7% ) 22 ( 73,3% )

1 ( 3,3% ) 29 ( 96,7% )

0,030**

Endometrial thickness in both groups had a mean consecutive 8.47 ± 1.77 cm at rigid catheter group and 8.63 ± 1.97 cm in flexible catheter group. Teraporn et al in 2003 got cut off 0.05, which indicates no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the presence of blood in the catheter after the procedure. Blood on catheter indicates


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the possibility of injury to the

endometrium at the time of the procedure.

Blood in catheter yes

5 (14,3%) 30 (85,7%) 35 (100%) 0,050

Cramps / abdominal pain subjectively assessed in the procedure

No Reflux Yes

9 (36%) 16 (64%) 25 (100%) 2 (22,2%) 7 (77,8%) 9 (100%) 1,00**

occurred in 13 cases (43.3%) with a No

12 (23,5%) 39 (76,5%) 51 (100%)


rigid catheter, more than on a flexible catheter which is 9 cases (30%). But, there is no statistically significant difference between two groups.
Reflux during insemination procedure might affect the success of the IIU. In this study, reflux is more in rigid catheter group of 8 persons (26.7%) while 1 in the flexible group (3.3%). Chi-square test obtained p value 0.05, which indicates no significant difference in pregnancy success rates between the two catheters.
Discussion
One aspect on FERT attention recently is a matter of the use of a catheter in the insemination process. Several previous studies on flexible catheter for embryo transfer can improve the success of the embryo transfer. It is still unclear why, but theoretically associated with the incidence of trauma to the endometrial lining, which flexible catheter may reduce trauma at the entry time of the embryo into the uterine cavity compared with a rigid catheter.
In the other hand, there is no significant difference of the success

rate of pregnancy among two catheters, not only in terms of there is bleeding or reflux happened during procedures. Perhaps this because after the IIU, sperm is known reached the peritoneal cavity rapidly, but the implantation of the embryo in the uterus occurs about 7 days after fertilization. In contrast of embryo transfer, embryo before implantation will float or stick to the wall with endometrial adhesions are not strong in a few days (embryo transfer second or third day) or within 1 day of implantation (day 5 embryo transfer or 6). Therefore, the average will decrease if embryo transfer catheter directly damage the embryo and / or endometrium or if the embryo get out through the cervix or fallopian tubes.
However, we expected the clinician to consider uncomfortable aspects of a rigid catheter although there was no difference of successful pregnancies.
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