A comparative retrospective study between general anesthesia and conscious sedation for oocyte retrieval

Abstract EN

-Objective: To compare data in the in vitro fertilization unit at Prince Ali Hospital regarding the anesthetic method used and its influence on oocyte number, fertilization rate, and pregnancy rate.

Methods: One hundred seventy-two women underwent oocyte retrieval in the period between January 1st 2010 to January 1st 2011 at Prince Ali Hospital were included in this retrospective study.

Of these, 95 patients had general anesthesia (group A) and 67 patients had conscious sedation (group B), 10 patients were converted from conscious sedation to general anesthesia and excluded from the study.

In the general anesthesia group, induction was achieved with Fentanyl 1-2 μg/kg IV and intravenous sleeping dose of Propofol 2- 2.5 mg/kg , insertion of a laryngeal mask airway ( size 3-4) was followed by assisted ventilation and maintenance with O2, N2O and Isoflurane.

In conscious sedation group Midazolam 0.016 mg/kg was administered intravenously followed after two minutes by Fentanyl 50μg IV.

Further doses of either drug were administered according to the patient’s need.

Results: The total number of collected oocytes were 1,102 in group A compared to 596 oocytes in group B.

Mean number of collected oocytes was higher in group A (11.6 ± 4.1 ), then group B (8.9 ±2.9 ).

There was no statistical difference in fertilization rate between the two groups (69 % vs.

67% in groups A and B respectively).

Similarly, there was no statistical difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the two groups (42.4% vs.

40.6%).

Conclusion: More women in our society prefer to have general anesthesia for oocyte retrieval compared to conscious sedation.

Although the total number and mean number of oocytes are higher in the general anesthesia group, fertilization rate and pregnancy rate are the same.