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After the FLUSH trial: A prospective observational study of lipiodol flushing as an innovative treatment for unexplained and endometriosis‐related infertility
Author(s) -
BRENT Kira,
HADDEN Wendy E.,
WESTONWEBB Marianne,
JOHNSON Neil P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2006.00595.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , obstetrics , pregnancy rate , infertility , miscarriage , fertility , endometriosis , live birth , gynecology , lipiodol , population , tubal factor infertility , surgery , embolization , genetics , environmental health , biology
Objectives: To assess the demographics, efficacy and safety of lipiodol flushing fertility treatment. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Secondary level care infertility clinic and radiology centre based in Auckland, New Zealand. Population: The first cohort of 100 New Zealand women with infertility to undergo lipiodol flushing as an innovative fertility treatment. Methods: Women received lipiodol flushing performed by a hysterosalpingogram technique and were followed up at 6 months. Main outcome measures: Clinical pregnancy at 6 months post‐treatment; and live birth or ongoing pregnancy. Results: The overall pregnancy rate was 30% and the live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate 27%. For women under 40 years old, a 32% pregnancy rate and a 25% live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate were seen in women with unexplained infertility, and a 50% pregnancy rate and a 47% live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate were seen in women with endometriosis. Of women aged 40 years and older, the pregnancy rate was 13% and the live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate was 13%. The pregnancy rates included those occurring after additional interventions, such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilisation, accounting for 12 of the 30 pregnancies. There were no treatment complications. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence of the efficacy and safety of lipiodol flushing fertility treatment.