Evaluation of the risk of pelvic infection following transvaginal oocyte recovery

The risk of introducing infection into the peritoneal cavity at the time of transvaginal ultrasound-guided recovery of oocytes in assisted reproduction techniques was assessed by culturing peritoneal fluid samples from 25 women with unexplained infertility. The samples were collected laparoscopfcally at the time of zygote intra-Fallopian transfer (ZIFT), 24-48 h after oocyte collection. High vaginal and endocervical specimens from 25 women treated by in-vitro fertilization (TVF) and transcervkal embryo transfer were cultured for comparison. The peritoneal cultures were negative in all but one patient. High vaginal swabs grew Candida albicans in three cases and endocervical specimens were all negative. Seven and three pregnancies occurred in the ZIFT and IVF groups respectively. No pelvic damage was noted at laparoscopy in those women who had had previous treatment cycles with transvaginal oocyte recovery. This method of oocyte recovery, using prophylactic metronidazole and chlorhexidine for preoperative vaginal preparation, appears to be safe for treatment of women with no previous pelvic damage.