Laparoscopically assisted gamete intrafallopian transfer with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the length of procedure, length of recovery, patient tolerance, complications, and pregnancy rate (PR) of laparoscopically assisted GIFT performed during local anesthesia with i.v. sedation.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Freestanding private ambulatory surgical center.

PATIENTS: Thirty-one consecutive couples with infertility.

INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopically assisted GIFT during local anesthesia with i.v. sedation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgery time, recovery time, patient tolerance, PR, miscarriage rate, and complications.

RESULTS

Cannulation of at least one fallopian tube was achieved successfully in all patients. The average surgery time was 64 +/- 12 minutes (mean +/- SD). The average recovery time was 92 +/- 30 minutes. The PR was 39% with an ongoing PR of 32%. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Local anesthesia with IV sedation for GIFT using a two-puncture laparoscopic technique was well tolerated by the patients. Our ongoing PR of 32% compares very favorably with other series using general anesthesia.