ROLE OF HYSTEROSCOPY PRIOR TO ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUE

Abstract

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is considered to be one of the major medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. The use of IVF has increased gradually since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978, and more than 5 million children are estimated to have been born with the help of this technology¹. However, only 25—30% of cycles of IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) lead to success. The cause of this implantation failure is poorly understood but is thought to be determined by both the embryo and the uterine cavity.^2-4 Studies suggest the most frequent cause to be chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo^,3 but abnormalities of the uterine cavity such as polyps, myoma, septum and adhesions are also thought to be associated with impaired implantation and reduced chance of pregnancy.^4,5  Hysteroscopy is regarded as the reference standard to detect these uterine abnormalities.^6,7 Hence, ruling out any evidence of any intrauterine pathology by hysteroscopy becomes an important step before subjecting the patient to any of the assisted reproductive techniques (ART).  The aim of the present study is to assess whether pre IVF Hysteroscopy improves the clinical pregnancy rate in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques