IVF ANAESTHESIA

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval (TUGOR) is a painful part of standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices. The role of the anaesthesiologist in in vitro fertilization is to provide adequate comfort and pain relief to patients and to allow optimal working conditions for gynaecologists during oocyte retrieval procedures. Different anaesthetic techniques, including different levels of sedation, general anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia, and alternative medicine approaches, have all been used for this procedure. We can conclude that no single sedation method appeared superior in terms of pain relief, pregnancy rates, and patient satisfaction. Neuraxial anaesthesia, paracervical and pre-ovarian block, and acupuncture are effective alternative methods of analgesia for TUGOR. Due to the increasing utilization of IVF procedures, not only due to infertility but also for pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT), elective oocyte and embryo banking, and due to more common work with patients suffering from different extragenital pathologies, it is necessary to plan in advance the entire anaesthetic process, including a preliminary meeting with the anaesthetist and performance of additional tests and preparations when necessary. All of the preceding greatly emphasize the importance of collaboration and good cooperation between the gynaecologist and the anaesthesiologist.