Evaluation of the effect of endometrial scratch by hysteroscopic scissors on frozen embryo transfer outcomes: A historical cohort study

Background: Endometrial scratch (ES) has been suggested to improve assisted reproductive techniques success rates by investigating implantation failure. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effect of ES on the outcomes of frozen embryo transfer (FET) in women with at least ۲ failed embryo transfer cycles. Materials and Methods: In this historical cohort study, medical data of ۲۳۶ infertile women who underwent in-vitro fertilization-FET at Ebne-sina Infertility Center, Tehran, Iran, from January ۲۰۱۵-December ۲۰۲۱ was extracted from their medical records. Based on having ES before FET, they were assigned to either the scratch (n = ۱۱۸) or the no-scratch group (n = ۱۱۸). We compared these groups regarding pregnancy rates and outcomes. Results: The demographic characteristics were similar in both groups regarding weight, body mass index, the number of previous embryo transfers, and the duration of infertility. However, the scratch group had a slightly higher mean age (۳۲.۳۱ vs. ۲۹.۹۶ yr, p < ۰.۰۰۱). No statistically significant difference was observed between groups regarding pregnancy rate (p = ۰.۸۹). No significant association was observed between scratch, infertility duration, the number of previous FET attempts, and the likelihood of pregnancy in a logistic regression model. No major complications were observed. Conclusion: Hysteroscopic endometrial scratching with scissors probably has no effect on FET outcomes, including pregnancy or live birth rates.

Keywords:

Hysteroscopy , Infertility , Pregnancy rate , Live birth. , کلمات کلیدی: هیستروسکوپی , ناباروری , میزان بارداری , تولد زنده.