ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the safety and clinical effect of artificial shrinkage (AS) in terms of assisted hatching of fresh blastocysts. Also, we evaluated the correlation between patient age and the effect of AS on clinical outcome. METHODS: Two AS methods, using a 29-gauge needle and laser pulse, were compared. Seventy-three blastocysts were shrunk using a 29-gauge needle and the same number of other blastocysts were shrunk by a laser pulse. We evaluated the shrunken blastocysts hourly and considered them viable if they re-expanded >70%. Blastocyst transfer cycles (n=134) were divided into two groups: a control group consisted of the cycles whose intact embryos were transferred (n=100), while the AS group consisted of the cycles whose embryos were replaced following AS (n=34). The implantation and pregnancy rates of the control group and AS group were compared (p<0.05). RESULTS: The re-expansion rates of the 29-gauge needle and laser pulse AS groups were similar (56 [76.7%] vs. 62 [84.9%], respectively). All of the remaining shrunken blastocysts were re-expanded within 2 hours. There was no degeneration of shrunken blastocysts. The total and clinical pregnancy rate of the AS group (23 [67.6%]; 20 [58.8%], respectively) was significantly higher than that of the control group (47 [47.0%]; 39 [39.0%], respectively). In the older patient group, there was no difference in the clinical outcomes between the AS and control groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that AS of blastocoele cavity, followed by the transfer, would be a useful approach to improve the clinical outcome in cycles in which fresh blastocyst stage embryos are transferred.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blastocyst , Embryo Transfer , Embryonic Structures , Fertilization in Vitro , Needles , Pregnancy RateABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to compare the outcome of the modified transvaginal cerclage (MTVC) in patients who had not undergone a previous TVC with the outcome of patients treated with the transvagianl cerclage (TVC). METHOD: Incompetent cervix patients in the Obstetric/Gynecology department of Hanyang University Hospital post January, 1996 were selected as subjects for this study. 94 patients who received the TVC and 44 patients who received the MTVC using fibrin sealant were compared. The success of the operation was determined in the 34th week of pregnancy, and duration of pregnancy. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics of the TVC group and the MTVC group are showing no significant statistical difference between the two groups. The average gestational age of delivery was 36.0 and 37.0 week and the average weight was 2,797 g and 2,828 g respectively, also showing no significant (p=0.06) statistical difference. However, the duration of pregnancy between surgery and birth was 19.5 and 21.5 weeks showing significant (p=0.013) statistical difference, when the success rates of the treatments of incompetent cervix were observed according to the 34th week standard, TVC showed a 74% (71/96) rate of success and MTVC with fibrin sealant showed a 90.9% (40/44) rate of success, showing a significant statistical difference (Chi(2)=4.503, p<0.05). CONCLUSION:The success rate of MTVC using fibrin sealant showed to be significantly higher than the success rate of TVC. The reason for the difference in success rates is suspected to be because the fibrin sealant injected between the two TVC bands blocked the possibility of infection originating in the vagina. In the future, further research should focus on cultures of vaginal and amniotic fluids.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy , Female , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test is performed by stimulating both ear canals with the water of same temperature at the same time. There are some reports that the simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test appears to be more sensitive than the alternative bithermal caloric test in detecting caloric vestibular abnormalities. However, it is not well known yet what effect simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test has on the vestibulo-ocular reflex. We attempted to verify the clinical usefulness of the simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Otoneurologically normal subjects (n=20) and patients who have complaints of dizziness (n=141) were tested. The regular bithermal caloric test was performed, using Life-Tech water irrigator and the water of temperatures 30degreesC and 44degreesC. The simultaneous binaural bithermal test was performed using Brooker-Grams closed loop irrigator with 27degreesC and 44degreesC water. The irrigation time was 40 seconds and nystagmus was detected for more than 120 seconds by electronystagmography. We divided the test response into six types with the reference value of canal paresis (CP) of the regular bithermal caloric test. RESULTS: The distribution of nystagmus type did not show regular pattern in the normal controls. The distribution of type I and II was 77.4% when CP was more than 25% in patients, 50.6% when CP was less than 25% in patients, and 42.5% in the normal group. The maximal velocity of slow component increased in the unilateral canal paresis patients (CP>25%), compared with the normal controls and no unilateral canal paresis patients (Cp<0.05). CONCLUSION: We observed that the simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test has advantages of being less time-consuming and more comfortable. When the maximal velocity of slow component is more than 22.6 deg/sec with type I or II response, we could predict canal paresis; however, further studies should be made for abnormal response of simultaneous caloric response on the central nervous ststem.