Sedation and analgesia for transvaginal oocyte retrieval: an audit resulting in a change of clinical practice.

The aim was to audit the standard of care at oocyte retrieval with respect to the analgesia used. Before June 1999, a combination of intramuscular pethidine and prochlorperazine was given as a single dose. Many women found this to be unsatisfactory and requested general anaesthesia for subsequent oocyte retrievals. An intravenous sedation and analgesia regimen was introduced using a combination of midazolam and fentanyl. The introduction of this regimen was audited and compared with the established regimen. This study describes the experience with this technique, its patient acceptability, safety and cost implications.