The impact of different types of anesthesia on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment outcome

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate retrospectively the influence of different types of anesthesia on the outcome of ovum retrieval. Methods: Sedation combined with local anesthesia was used on 120 occasions (Group I), epidural block in 139 ovum retrievals (Group II), and general anesthesia in 173 cycles (Group III). Results: No differences were found in embryo yield or number or the quality of the embryos transferred. Of 99 pregnancies achieved, 66 live deliveries were recorded. Significantly lower clinical pregnancy rates were found in Group III (14.5%) compared with Group II (23.7%; P= 0.018) or Group I (25.8%; P=0.0074). Highly significant differences were found in the delivery rates between Group HI (8.7%), Group II (20.11%; P=0.0017), and Group I (19.2%; P=0.0043). Conclusion: The use of general anesthesia, especially nitrous oxide, for oocyte retrieval has an adverse effect on IVF outcome. This deleterious effect manifests itself only after embryo transfer and leads to lower pregnancy and delivery rates.