Double-Lumen Needle Follicular Flushing System versus Single-Lumen Aspiration Needle in IVF/ICSI Patients with Poor Ovarian Response: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The present study performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively analyze existing randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving the use of double-lumen needle in patients with poor ovarian response to explore whether double-lumen needle was good for specific patients. Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and two randomized controlled trials registration centers were thoroughly searched until April 2017. The clinical outcomes of IVF/ICSI cycles were compared between two groups with double-lumen needle and single-lumen needle. Results: Four RCT studies were included in this present meta-analysis. The oocytes yield was similar in two groups (OR 0.88, 95%CI 0.66 - 1.16; I2 = 4%). The procedure time with double-lumen needle was significantly longer than that with single-lumen needle (IV = 1.98, 95%CI 0.95 - 3.00; I2 = 86%). The fertilization rate with double-lumen needle was lower than that with single-lumen needle (OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.44 - 0.97; I2 = 0%). There was no significant difference of live birth rate in two groups (OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.32 - 1.76; I2 = 41%). Conclusion: Double-lumen needle could not benefit patients with a POR in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte recovery rate, normal fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate, compared with single-lumen needle.