Safety and Efficacy of an Atraumatic Uterine Cervical Traction Device: A Pilot Study

Embryo Transfer Procedural Parameters Do Not Predict IVF Cycle Outcome

BACKGROUND

this study aims to assess the effect of embryo transfer (ET) performance parameters of a technical nature on IVF outcome.

METHODS

A total of 1417 ETs from a single IVF center were included in this prospective observational study. The parameters investigated were as follows: the presence of cervical mucus post catheter withdrawal, the presence of blood, catheter reload, the employment of a tenaculum and stylet, catheter resistance as experienced by the physician and patient discomfort.

RESULTS

When ET performance parameters were associated with clinical outcomes on a singular level, none of the ET parameters presented with any statistical significance. The evaluation of covariates indicated that the number and the quality of transferred embryos, as well as maternal age, exerted a statistically significant effect on clinical outcomes. In a multivariate analysis, only the presence of mucus along with significant catheter resistance presented with statistical significance; however, when adjusting for covariates, this combination showed no statistically significant effect on clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

the results indicate that the time-consuming process of recording and analyzing ET performance parameters fails to offer any additional value in predicting the cycle's outcome, while factors like embryo quality and number, as well as maternal age, seem to be the sole robust predictive factors of an IVF cycle.

Safety and efficacy of a suction cervical stabilizer for intrauterine contraceptive device insertion: Results from a randomized, controlled study

OBJECTIVES

To compare patient-reported pain, bleeding, and device safety between intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) insertion procedures employing a suction cervical stabilizer or single-tooth tenaculum.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a randomized, prospective, single-blinded study conducted at two centers, enrolling women aged 18 years or older, eligible for IUD insertion. The primary end point measure was patient-reported pain, measured on a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale. Safety was assessed on the amount of bleeding, adverse events, and serious adverse events.

RESULTS

One hundred women were randomized, 48 to the investigational device and 52 to control. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in factors potentially associated with pain on IUD insertion. IUD insertion was successful in 94% of all subjects. Subjects in the investigational device group reported pain scores ≥14 points lower than in the control group at cervix grasping (14.9 vs 31.3; p < 0.001) and traction (17.0 vs 35.9; p < 0.001), and smaller differences in pain scores at the IUD insertion (31.5 vs 44.9; p = 0.021) and cervix-release (20.6 vs 30.9; p = 0.049) steps. Nulliparous women experienced the greatest pain differences to control. Mean blood loss was 0.336 (range 0.022-2.189) grams in the investigational device group and 1.336 (range 0.201-11.936) grams in the control group, respectively (p = 0.03 for the comparison). One adverse event (bruising and minor bleeding) in the investigational device group was considered causally related to the study device.

CONCLUSIONS

The suction cervical stabilizer had a reassuring safety profile and its use was associated with significant reductions in pain during the IUD insertion procedure compared with standard single-tooth tenaculum use, particularly among nulliparous women.

IMPLICATIONS

Pain can be an important barrier to greater use of IUD devices among prescribers and users, particularly nulliparous women. The suction cervical stabilizer may provide an appealing alternative to currently available tenacula, filling an important unmet need.