A Monocentric Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Compare Single- and Double-Lumen Needles in Oocyte Retrieval Procedure in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

The purpose was to determine any difference in outcomes, primarily in terms of number of retrieved oocytes per procedure, between two different needles used for oocytes retrieval procedure in Assisted Reproductive Technologies: the single-lumen needle (SLN) versus the double-lumen needle (DLN) with follicle flushing after aspiration. This randomized controlled trial included oocyte retrieval (OR) cycles for IVF and ICSI performed in 18 to 42-year-old women between March 2019 and January 2021 at a tertiary-care Fertility Center. A total of 200 ORs were randomized, 100 in each group. The mean number of retrieved oocytes was not different between groups (10.2 +/- 6.5 for DLNs vs. 10.7 +/- 7.0 for SLNs, p = 0.810). No significant differences were observed also in terms of number of retrieved oocytes/punctured follicles (83.0% +/- 27.0% vs. 81.0% +/- 22.0%, p = 0.916), number of retrieved oocytes/follicles at trigger (78.0% +/- 29.0% vs. 78.0% +/- 27.0%, p = 0.881), number of mature oocytes (7.6 +/- 5.3 vs. 8.0 +/- 5.1, p = 0.519), and pregnancy rate (27% vs. 23%, p = 0.514). However, the time required to retrieve each oocyte was longer using the DLN (1.5 +/- 1.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.9 minutes, p = 0.002). The present study confirmed the new perspectives on the sole use of SLNs in terms of saving time, without affecting the number of retrieved oocytes. Trial registration number and date of registration NCT03611907; July 26, 2018.