Assisted reproduction techniques

High-complexity techniques

GIFT

This is a procedure with a high rate of success. It is performed in patients with healthy, viable fallopian tubes. This treatment is recommended and used in patients with infertility problems of unknown origin or when IVF embryo transfer is difficult through the vagina for a number of reasons, such as cervix narrowness or deviation. Unlike IVF, in GIFT both male and female gametes are transferred into the fallopian tubes, without fertilization having taken place. The purpose is placing the gametes in the very setting where fertilization occurs naturally, but for any reason was cannot take place spontaneously. This procedure is performed in the operating room either with epidural or general anesthesia. Gametes are transferred to the fallopian tubes with a laparoscopic procedure, which consists in practicing a 1-cm incision below the navel, distending the abdomen with carbon dioxide (CO2), passing a telescopic instrument with a video camera attached to it through the incision to manipulate the fallopian tubes, and make an additional 1-cm incision across the pubic hair to transfer the gametes. The procedure typically takes some 30 minutes.