Efficacy of postal communication with patients who have cryopreserved pre-embryos

Objective: To compare the characteristics of patients who did and did not respond to a request for information regarding their cryopreserved pre-embryos. Design: Mail survey. Setting: Academic-assisted reproductive technology program. Patient(s): One hundred thirty-six patients with cryopreserved pre-embryos. Intervention(s): Patients were surveyed by first-class mail regarding their plans for their cryopreserved pre-embryos and their interest in embryo donation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Age, number of stored pre-embryos, and duration of storage of responders and nonresponders at 6 weeks after mailing. Result(s): Eighty-three patients (62%) did not respond to the survey. Compared with responders, nonresponders were significantly older at the time of embryo cryopreservation, had fewer pre-embryos cryopreserved, and had the pre-embryos cryopreserved for a longer duration. Five responders (9%) expressed an interest in embryo donation. Three patients requested disposal of pre-embryos. Sixteen surveys (12%) were returned as undeliverable. As a group, these patients had the fewest pre-embryos cryopreserved and had the longest duration of storage. Conclusion(s): A disturbing number of patients with cryopreserved pre-embryos ignored efforts by our program to maintain contact. Older patients with few cryopreserved pre-embryos may require special attention to avoid abandonment. (Fertil Steril(R) 1998;70:949-51. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).