Laser versus mechanical assisted hatching: a prospective study of clinical outcomes

ObjectiveTo compare clinical outcomes after laser or mechanical techniques of assisted hatching (AH) in women of advanced age undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).DesignProspective randomized study.SettingCenter for Human Reproduction, Genesis Clinic, Athens, Greece.PatientsThree hundred and sixteen consenting women of advanced age (≥39 years) with primary infertility undergoing IVF/ICSI programs and having available embryos for transfer on day 3. Patients were randomized into laser or mechanical AH of their transferred embryos.InterventionsControlled ovarian hyperstimulation, oocyte retrieval, IVF/ICSI, laser or mechanical AH, and embryo-transfer.Main Outcome MeasuresImplantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and viable pregnancy rate.ResultsThe implantation rate was significantly higher in the laser AH group. Clinical and viable pregnancy rates were higher (but not significantly) in the laser AH group.ConclusionsLaser AH of embryos may result in better clinical outcomes when compared to the mechanical technique in women of advanced age undergoing IVF or ICSI.