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They refer to
the non-operative ways of doing the procedures of
GIFT. With GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Tube
Transfer) a surgical procedure called laparoscopy
done usually in a surgical suite and under general
anesthesia is performed. While under direct
visual guidance, a narrow plastic catheter carrying
the egg(s) and sperm are deposited in the fallopian
tube.
The latest
technique involves "GLUING"
the embryo to the inner lining of the uterus at
time of embryo transfer, versus just
"releasing" the embryo
freely into the uterus.
With the new
procedures TUFT (TransUterine Fallopian Transfer),
a small fiberoptic catheter is passed through the
naturally patent uterine mouth (cervix) and the
opening of the tube(s) is visualized. A
narrow catheter carrying the egg(s) and sperm are
then placed into the tube and gently
released. With HUT (Hysteroscopic Uterine
Transfer) embryos instead of the egg(s) and sperm
are placed in the uterus.
What are
the advantages of TUFT and HUT?
There are several
advantages of these procedures:
1. These are
non-operative procedures done in the
doctor's office.
2. No
general anesthesia is required.
3. They are
generally done in less than two minutes time
vs. 30 minutes operative time for the
others.
4. There is no
risk of major complications (Bowel perforation
and bleeding) attendant with the other
procedures.
5. Cost much
less.
What are
the disadvantages of these
procedures?
1. There are no
known major disadvantages of these
procedures. Few patients due to the shape of
the uterus may not be suitable candidates for thses
procedures.
With TUFT/HUT
embryos resulting from the already fertilized
egg(s) and sperm are returned back into the
uterus. All eggs are not equal and have the
capability of growing to full term pregnancy and
under the microscope this distinction is
impossible. So at the time of GIFT or TUFT
this will hamper optimization of chances of
successful pregnancies by a random selection of the
limited number of the eggs where only selected few
have the true potential for full functionality to
begin with. Therefore, pregnancy outcome
from TUFT/HUT ought to be higher as it is
universally an accepted fact that the results from
the equivalent surgical procedures of ZIFT/TET are
higher.
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