A prospective study to investigate the value of flushing follicles during transvaginal ultrasound-directed follicle aspiration.

In this study, 50 transvaginal US-directed follicle aspiration procedures were performed with follicle flushing using a double-channel needle. The origin of each oocyte was established according to whether it had been obtained in the initial part of the aspirate, in the dead space aspirate, in the first to third flushes, or in the fourth to sixth flushes. Seventeen percent of total oocytes were found in follicle flushes. Only 3.2% of total oocytes were found in the fourth to sixth flushes, and their fertilization rate was reduced. Flushing follicles with a double-channel needle may result in the recovery of 20% more oocytes than would be obtained by aspiration alone.