| Author |
Kuchenbecker, Walter K. H. De Koning, Corry H. Schoot, Benedictus C. Broekmans, Frank J. M. Van Heusden, Arne M. Kasius, Jenneke C. Louwe, Leonie A. Koks, Carolien A. M. Mol, Ben W. J. Perquin, Denise A. M. Van Golde, Ronald Mol, Femke Hoek, Annemieke Kaaijk, Eugenie M. Eijkemans, Marinus J. C. Scheffer, Gabrielle J. Van Hooff, Marcel Torrance, Helen L. Friederich, Jaap Dykgraaf, Ramon H. M. Sluijmer, Alexander Nap, Annemiek W. Fleischer, Kathrin Janssen, Ineke C. A. H. Manger, Petra A. P. Kwee, Janet Smit, Janine G. |
| Description |
Author Affiliation: Smit JG ( Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands. Electronic address: jsmit9@umcutrecht.nl.); Kasius JC ( Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.); Eijkemans MJ ( Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.); Koks CA ( Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, Netherlands.); van Golde R ( Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.); Nap AW ( Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, Netherlands.); Scheffer GJ ( Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, Netherlands.); Manger PA ( Diakonessen Hospital Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.); Hoek A ( University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.); Schoot BC ( Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, Netherlands.); van Heusden AM ( Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands.); Kuchenbecker WK ( Isala, Zwolle, Netherlands.); Perquin DA ( Medical Center Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, Netherlands.); Fleischer K ( University Medical Center St Radboud, Nijmegen, Netherlands.); Kaaijk EM ( Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands.); Sluijmer A ( Wilhelmina Hospital, Assen, Netherlands.); Friederich J ( Gemini Hospital, Den Helder, Netherlands.); Dykgraaf RH ( Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.); van Hooff M ( Sint Franciscus Gasthuis, Rotterdam, Netherlands.); Louwe LA ( Leids University Medical Center, University of Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands.); Kwee J ( Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands.); de Koning CH ( Tergooi Hospitals, Blaricum, Netherlands.); Janssen IC ( Groene Hart Hospital, Gouda, Netherlands.); Mol F ( Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.); Mol BW ( The Robinson Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia); Broekmans FJ ( Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.); Torrance HL ( Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.) |
| Abstract |
BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopy is often done in infertile women starting in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to improve their chance of having a baby. However, no data are available from randomised controlled trials to support this practice. We aimed to assess whether routine hysteroscopy before the first IVF treatment cycle increases the rate of livebirths. METHODS: We did a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial in seven university hospitals and 15 large general hospitals in the Netherlands. Women with a normal transvaginal ultrasound of the uterine cavity and no previous hysteroscopy who were scheduled for their first IVF treatment were randomly assigned (1:1) to either hysteroscopy with treatment of detected intracavitary abnormalities before starting IVF (hysteroscopy group) or immediate start of the IVF treatment (immediate IVF group). Randomisation was done with web-based concealed allocation and was stratified by centre with variable block sizes. Participants, doctors, and outcome assessors were not masked to the assigned group. The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy (detection of a fetal heartbeat at >12 weeks of gestation) within 18 months of randomisation and resulting in livebirth. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01242852. FINDINGS: Between May 25, 2011, and Aug 27, 2013, we randomly assigned 750 women to receive either hysteroscopy (n=373) or immediate IVF (n=377). 209 (57%) of 369 women eligible for assessment in the hysteroscopy group and 200 (54%) of 373 in the immediate IVF group had a livebirth from a pregnancy during the trial period (relative risk 1·06, 95% CI 0·93-1·20; p=0·41). One (<1%) woman in the hysteroscopy group developed endometritis after hysteroscopy. INTERPRETATION: Routine hysteroscopy does not improve livebirth rates in infertile women with a normal transvaginal ultrasound of the uterine cavity scheduled for a first IVF treatment. Women with a normal transvaginal ultrasound should not be offered routine hysteroscopy. FUNDING: The Dutch Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMW). |
