ABSTRACT
Objective@#This study investigated whether adding outer-well medium to inhibit osmotic changes in culture media in a dry-type incubator improved the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. @*Methods@#In culture dishes, the osmotic changes in media (20 µL)-covered oil with or without outer-well medium (humid or dry culture conditions, respectively) were compared after 3 days of incubation in a dry-type incubator. One-step (Origio) and G1/G2 (Vitrolife) media were used. @*Results@#The osmotic changes in the dry culture condition (308 mOsm) were higher than in the humid culture conditions (285–290 mOsm) after 3 days of incubation. In day 3 IVF-ET cycles, although the pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the dry (46.2%) and humid culture (52.2%) groups, the rates of abortion and ongoing pregnancy were significantly better in the humid culture group (2.3% and 50.2%, respectively) than in the dry culture group (8.3% and 37.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In day 5 IVF-ET cycles, the abortion rate was significantly lower in the humid culture group (2.2%) than in the dry culture group (25.0%, p<0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the rates of clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the dry (50% and 25.0%, respectively) and humid culture groups (59.5% and 57.3%, respectively) because of the small number of cycles. @*Conclusion@#Hyperosmotic changes in media occurred in a dry-type incubator by evaporation, although the medium was covered with oil. These osmotic changes were efficiently inhibited by supplementation of outer-well medium, which resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#This study investigated whether adding outer-well medium to inhibit osmotic changes in culture media in a dry-type incubator improved the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. @*Methods@#In culture dishes, the osmotic changes in media (20 µL)-covered oil with or without outer-well medium (humid or dry culture conditions, respectively) were compared after 3 days of incubation in a dry-type incubator. One-step (Origio) and G1/G2 (Vitrolife) media were used. @*Results@#The osmotic changes in the dry culture condition (308 mOsm) were higher than in the humid culture conditions (285–290 mOsm) after 3 days of incubation. In day 3 IVF-ET cycles, although the pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the dry (46.2%) and humid culture (52.2%) groups, the rates of abortion and ongoing pregnancy were significantly better in the humid culture group (2.3% and 50.2%, respectively) than in the dry culture group (8.3% and 37.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In day 5 IVF-ET cycles, the abortion rate was significantly lower in the humid culture group (2.2%) than in the dry culture group (25.0%, p<0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the rates of clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the dry (50% and 25.0%, respectively) and humid culture groups (59.5% and 57.3%, respectively) because of the small number of cycles. @*Conclusion@#Hyperosmotic changes in media occurred in a dry-type incubator by evaporation, although the medium was covered with oil. These osmotic changes were efficiently inhibited by supplementation of outer-well medium, which resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The object of this study is to offer the optimal angle of needle insertion during L3-L4 paramedian approach using simple X-ray. METHODS: Twenty-five male patients were enrolled for this study. After placing a radio-opaque material (RO) on the point 1cm lateral and 1cm caudad to inferior edge of L3 spinous process in the sitting-flexion position, simple AP X-ray films in erect position and lateral films in sitting-flexion position were taken. The distance from RO (I) to the midline of vertebral column was measured on the AP film. On the lateral film, the optimal target point (T) was determined. When the real RO (I) appeared on lateral film, the point was named I'. The line perpendicular to the line tangential to skin on I' was drawn to the vertebral body. When another line perpendicular to that line was drawn from the target point (T), the two lines meet perpendicularly at the point C. Two triangles can be formed three-dimensionally with T, I', C and T, I, C. Medial insertion angle (alpha, angle I-C-I') and cephalad insertion angle (beta, angle T-I-C) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean angle of alpha was 10.7 +/- 2.3degrees and beta was 13.9 +/- 5.0degrees. The insertion based on the calculated angles was successfully achieved at the first trial in 24 patients and at the second in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia with L3-L4 paramedian approach can be successfully performed using calculated angles measured by simple X-rays.