Endometrial scratching in women with implantation failure after a first IVF/ICSI cycle; does it lead to a higher live birth rate? The SCRaTCH study: a randomized controlled trial (NTR 5342)

Background Success rates of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are approximately 30%, with the most important limiting factorbeing embryo implantation. Mechanical endometrial injury, also called ‘ scratching’, has been proposed to positively affectthe chance of implantation after embryo transfer, but the currently available evidence is not yet conclusive. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of endometrial scratchingprior to a second fresh in vitro fertilization/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI) cycle on live birthrates in women with a failed first IVF/ICSI cycle.