Conscious sedation and analgesia for oocyte retrieval during IVF procedures: a Cochrane review

BACKGROUND: Various methods of sedation and analgesia have been used for pain relief during oocyte recovery during IVF. OBJECTIVE: To compare conscious sedation and analgesia with alternative methods for pain relief and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We searched the Specialised Register of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the National Research Register and Current Controlled Trials up to February 2004. RESULTS: Twelve trials were included. Owing to considerable heterogeneity, regarding types and dosages of sedation or analgesia used, and tools used to assess pain, a meta-analysis was attempted only in trials where appropriate data were available. Clinical pregnancy rates per woman in individual trials were comparable. Data on pain showed conflicting results. CONCLUSION: No single method or delivery system appeared superior for pregnancy rates and pain relief. Future studies need to be consistent in the choice of tools used to measure pain and the timing of such evaluations.