A Randomized, Prospective Study Comparing Laser-assisted Hatching and Assisted Hatching Using Acidified Medium

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients whose transferred embryos underwent either laser-assisted hatching or hatching with acidified medium.

Design: Randomized, prospective, double-blinded study.

Setting: University-based IVF center.

Patient(s): Clinical outcomes following IVF were compared in 159 patient cycles who randomly had all transferred embryos undergo laser-assisted hatching (Laser; n = 57) or hatching with acidified medium (Acid; n = 54). Patients whose embryos had zonae thickness <13 mum were not hatched (Thin; n = 8) and patients with > or =4 embryos at the 7- to 8-cell stage or higher on Day 3 were transferred on Day 5 (Day 5; n = 40).

Main Outcome Measure(s): Implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, ongoing pregnancy rates, multiple pregnancy rates.

Result(s): No significant differences were noted in clinical, ongoing, or multiple pregnancy rates between the four groups. The implantation rate for Day 5 transfers was significantly greater than both the Laser and Acid treatment groups.

Conclusion: The use of a 1.48-micron infrared diode laser beam provides a safe and rapid method for performing assisted hatching and did not have a negative impact on patient care when compared to outcomes achieved using acidified medium.