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Egg retrieval for In Vitro Fertilization normally is performed under ultrasound guidance. In a rare patient, the ovaries may not be present within the pelvis and laparoscopy may be required for egg retrieval.
Most transvaginal ultrasound probes have accessories like needle guides (that can be attached to the probe). Needle guides allow the operator to “feed” an aspiration needle (through the needle guide) for use during ultrasound guided puncture procedures. During these procedures, the ultrasound computer software usually has the ability to generate a dotted line through the ultrasound visual field (that can be viewed on the ultrasound monitor) such that the operator simply lines up an ovarian follicle to be aspirated with the dotted line and then enters the aspiration needle into the follicle under direct (ultrasound) visualization. The follicular fluids are sequentially aspirated into test tubes under gentle suction pressure (generally activated by a foot pedal) and given to the embryologist to identify presence of the (microscopic) eggs.
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