Endometrial scratching for infertile women undergoing a first embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished data from randomized controlled trials

Intentional endometrial injury does not improve on- going pregnancy, live birth rates, and clinical pregnancy rates in infertile women undergoing a first fresh/frozen embryo transfer cycle.

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Fertility and Sterility
Editorial Office, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
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Volume 111, Issue 4, Pages 734–746.e2

Authors:

Amerigo Vitagliano, M.D., Alessandra Andrisani, M.D., Carlo Alviggi, M.D., Salvatore Giovanni Vitale, M.D., Gaetano Valenti, M.D., Fabrizio Sapia, M.D., Alessandro Favilli, M.D., Wellington P. Martins, M.D., Nick Raine-Ferring, M.D., Lukasz Polanski, M.D., Guido Ambrosini, M.D.

Abstract:

Objective

To investigate endometrial scratch injury (ESI) as an intervention to improve IVF outcome in women undergoing a first ET.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting

Not applicable.

Patient(s)

Infertile women undergoing a first fresh/frozen embryo transfer.

Intervention(s)

We included published and unpublished data from randomized controlled trials in which the intervention group received ESI and controls received placebo or no intervention. Pooled results were expressed as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO to start the data extraction (CRD42018087786).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate (OPR/LBR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), multiple pregnancy rate (MPR), miscarriage rate (MR), and ectopic pregnancy rate (EPR).

Result(s)

Seven studies were included (1,354 participants). We found a nonsignificant difference between groups in terms of OPR/LBR, CPR, MR, MPR, and EPR. Subgroup analysis found that ESI on the day of oocyte retrieval (achieved by a Novak curette) reduced OPR/LBR (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14–0.69) and CPR (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18–0.71), whereas ESI during the cycle preceding ET (performed through soft devices) had no effect on OPR/LBR and CPR. No difference in the impact of ESI was observed between fresh and frozen embryo transfer.

Conclusion(s)

Current evidence does not support performing ESI with the purpose of improving the success of a first ET attempt.


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Fertility and Sterility

Editorial Office, American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Fertility and Sterility® is an international journal for obstetricians, gynecologists, reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, basic scientists and others who treat and investigate problems of infertility and human reproductive disorders. The journal publishes juried original scientific articles in clinical and laboratory research relevant to reproductive endocrinology, urology, andrology, physiology, immunology, genetics, contraception, and menopause. Fertility and Sterility® encourages and supports meaningful basic and clinical research, and facilitates and promotes excellence in professional education, in the field of reproductive medicine.