Office hysteroscopy improves pregnancy rates following IVF

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of office hysteroscopy (OH) on pregnancy rate in patients undergoing IVF. A total of 1258 patients attending an IVF clinic with normal hysteroscopic findings were enrolled. The impact of timing of OH before embryo transfer on pregnancy rate was investigated. The women were evaluated in three groups: group 1, OH performed 50 days or less before embryo transfer (n = 407), group 2, OH between 51 days to 6 months, (n = 280) and group 3, OH more than 6 months before embryo transfer (n = 571). The implantation rates were 22.1%, 16.1% and 11.1% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Overall pregnancy rates were 48.2%, 38.9% and 29.9% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The clinical pregnancy rates were 45.2%, 34.3% and 27.1% and the live birth rates were 36.9%, 27.9% and 22.6%, respectively. Implantation, pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3 (all P < 0.05). OH may improve pregnancy rates, but timing of the procedure is important. The endometrial effect is highest when hysteroscopy is performed 50 days or less before embryo transfer. RBM Online (c) 2012, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.