Balakier 2009.
| Study characteristics | ||
| Methods | Single centre Unclear whether power calculation performed ITT analysis unclear Published as full paper | |
| Participants | 84 women from Canada with no more than 1 unsuccessful previous IVF attempt, ≤ 37 years of age, Day 3 FSH ≤ 10 mIU/mL
Mean age: control: 33.8 ± 3.2; AH: 32.5 ± 3.8 54 women underwent their first IVF cycle; the other 30 (13 AH) their second cycle |
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| Interventions | Laser‐assisted thinning (n = 45): total length of laser cut was approximately 30 to 40 μm, and about 60% to 80% of the outer layer of the zona pellucida was thinned without complete breaching, applying 2 ms laser beams vs Control (n = 39) |
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| Outcomes | Clinical pregnancy; multiple pregnancies; spontaneous miscarriage; live birth | |
| Notes | ||
| Risk of bias | ||
| Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Computer‐generated randomisation list |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | No details in text |
| Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes | Low risk | Study was double‐blinded to patients and medical personnel |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Low risk | No losses to follow‐up and all women analysed |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | Live birth reported |
| Other bias | Low risk | None identified |