Received June 06, 2009
Accepted September 10, 2009

Introduction: The fragmentation of embryos is frequently associated with bad prognosis in treatments of assisted reproduction. Embryos with a high percentage of fragmentation have implantation and pregnancy rates reduced. Studies have demonstrated that removal of fragments could minimize the malefic effects of fragmentation. Objective: Evaluate the effect of fragment removal of embryos in pregnancy rates. Material and methods: The study included 50 patients with embryos that presented 20-50% of fragmentation who were submitted the procedure of fragment removal. The control group was composed by 82 patients who had embryos with 20-50% of fragmentation and were not submitted to procedure of fragment removal. Another control group was submitted only to assisted hatching. A laser diiodo and micropipettes were used in the procedure, which was performed in PBS without calcium and magnesium. Immediately after the procedure the transfer was performed. The pregnancy outcome was evaluated fourteen days after oocyte retrieval. Results: All evaluated data was similar among the groups. The pregnancy rate of fragment removal group was 44% versus 43% in the control group. In the group of fragment removal, patients with 37 years old or more, have had a pregnancy rate (52%) significantly higher than patients of the same age who were not submitted to the procedure (29%) (p=0,04), but similar to the group submitted only to assisted hatching (33%). Conclusion: The fragment removal is a useful technique for provide higher pregnancy rates, in patients with 37 years old or more, when embryos about to be transfered have a fragmentation at least 20%.