Efficacy of Prophylactic Double-Lumen versus Single-Lumen Needle for Oocyte Retrieval in Advanced Maternal Age IVF Cycles

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 999–1010

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJOG/000564

Original Research Article

Title: Efficacy of Prophylactic Double-Lumen versus Single-Lumen Needle for Oocyte Retrieval in Advanced Maternal Age IVF Cycles

Names of Authors: Sophia Lindstrom¹, Anna Kowalski²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
² Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

Abstract:
Follicular aspiration in patients of advanced maternal age (AMA) requires high operational optimization to avoid losing scarce competent oocytes. This prospective randomized clinical trial compared the oocyte yield, total aspiration duration, and pelvic pain profiles of a double-lumen follicle aspiration needle enabling continuous flushing versus a standard single-lumen aspiration needle. One hundred subfertile women aged 39 to 43 years undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were randomized to either the double-lumen needle arm (n = 50) or the single-lumen needle arm (n = 50) during transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval. The primary endpoint evaluated was the total number of mature (Metaphase II) oocytes retrieved per patient. The mean number of mature oocytes retrieved was statistically identical between the double-lumen and single-lumen groups (3.2 ± 1.1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.3, p = 0.45). The fertilization and subsequent high-grade blastocyst transformation rates did not vary significantly between the cohorts (p > 0.05). However, the mean operative duration was significantly longer in the double-lumen needle group due to the repetitive flushing phases (18.4 ± 3.5 minutes vs. 9.5 ± 2.1 minutes, p < 0.001). Postoperative pelvic pain scores checked via a visual analog scale were significantly higher in the double-lumen arm (p = 0.008). In AMA patients with diminished ovarian reserves, utilizing a double-lumen needle for routine follicular flushing does not improve mature oocyte yields but prolongs surgical timelines and increases immediate postoperative pelvic discomfort.

Keywords: Advanced Maternal Age; Oocyte Retrieval; Follicular Flushing; Double-Lumen Needle; Single-Lumen Needle; IVF Yields.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 30, 2026; Revised: August 25, 2026; Accepted: September 12, 2026; Published: September 20, 2026.

Citation: Lindstrom S, Kowalski A. Efficacy of Prophylactic Double-Lumen versus Single-Lumen Needle for Oocyte Retrieval in Advanced Maternal Age IVF Cycles. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; 14(9): 999–1010.

Subscribe to read the full article: https://mail.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read