Follicular Flushing in Patients With Suboptimal Responses
Follicular Flushing in Patients With Suboptimal Responses
Oocyte aspiration under the guidance of transvaginal ultrasound is an integral part in IVF
 treatment. Follicular flushing has been advocated. However, subsequent data from randomized
 trials failed to demonstrate any benefits with routine follicular flushing in normally
 responding patients. Instead, it has been shown to prolong the operating time, increase the
 procedure-related pain and analgesics requirement. Most of the IVF centers no longer perform
 routine follicular flushing in normally responding patients.

 The potential role of follicular flushing in patients with a limited number of developing
 follicles is conflicting based on the recently published randomized trials. The aim of the
 present study is to determine the effect of follicular flushing on the ongoing pregnancy rate
 in patients who developed four or fewer follicles of 14mm following standard ovarian
 stimulation for IVF.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Age of women <43 years

 2. Normal uterine cavity on saline sonogram

 3. Endometrial thickness >=8mm on the day of hCG

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Planned not to have fresh embryo transfer

 2. Cycle cancelled prior to hCG administration

 3. Natural cycle IVF

 4. Presence of hydrosalpinges on scanning which are not surgically treated

 5. Presence of endometrial polyps on scanning

 6. Undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis