Objective: This study was designed to assess the efficacy of early aspiration of small follicles (EASF) in preventing moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in women with polycystic ovaries who experienced excessive ovarian response during the early part of assisted reproductive treatment cycles (ART).
Study design: EASF was undertaken transvaginally during 15 in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in 14 women with polycystic ovaries who produced more than 20 small follicles during the early part of the cycle. A minimum of 10 small follicles.
Outcomes: None of the patients developed moderate or severe OHSS. There were 9 intrauterine pregnancies (60 %) and 1 ectopic pregnancy.
Conclusions: EASF 4 to 7 days after starting gonadotropin injections prevented moderate and severe OHSS in susceptible patients with polycystic ovaries and resulted in a high pregnancy rate. Larger studies are needed to verify these promising results.