Comparison Between Foley's Catheter and Embryo Transfer Catheter in Sonohysterosalpingography (Sono-HSG) With Foam Instillation (Hyfosy) — A Comparison of Catheter Insertion Time And Procedure Duration

Abstract

Objective: To compare catheter insertion time and total procedure duration between a Foley's catheter and an embryo transfer (Labotect) catheter during sonohysterosalpingography (sono-HSG) with foam instillation (HyFoSy).

Methods: This randomized clinical trial enrolled 150 women attending the gynecology outpatient clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University Hospital, Egypt, between August 2023 and July 2024. Participants were randomized by block randomization to Group A (sono-HSG/HyFoSy using a 5–7 French Foley's catheter with balloon inflation) or Group B (sono-HSG/HyFoSy using a Labotect embryo transfer catheter), with an otherwise identical technique. Time of catheter insertion and total procedure time were recorded for each participant and compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test (SPSS version 27; p<0.05 considered significant).

Results: The two groups were comparable at baseline for age, gravidity, parity, and previous surgeries. Catheter insertion time was significantly shorter in Group B than Group A (4.4±3.0 vs. 5.3±2.9 minutes, p=0.047). Total procedure time was also significantly shorter in Group B than Group A (14.6±5.0 vs. 16.6±5.6 minutes, p=0.026).

Conclusion: Use of an embryo transfer catheter for sono-HSG with foam instillation (HyFoSy) was associated with a significantly shorter catheter insertion time and shorter total procedure time compared with a Foley's catheter.