Sanno Hospital

Reproduction Center

The team at our Reproduction Center has gained various brilliant achievements in its field

The 4th, 5th and l0th birth of babies in vitro fertilization (IVF)Japan.
The first case of a baby born with the GIFT and ZIFT methods in Japan.
The first case of an in vitro fertilization baby born as a result of ultrasonic guided egg collection in Japan.
More than 7,000 cases of laparoscopic diagnosis and its treatment.
The most advanced infertility treatment is performed at this Center. The treatment is conducted by Chief/Dr. Osamu Tsutsumi, Director of Sanno Hospital, and other famous staff members in the reproduction field in Japan. The facilities within the center is also the most advanced in Japan. Currently, one out of 10 married couples suffers from infertility. The causes for the infertility depends on each couple. It is necessary to examine the causes from various points of view. If the reason of the infertility is clarified, the treatment will begin. In Japan, unfortunately, only a few hospitals and organizations are equipped enough to examine causes of infertility. We are proud to give patients the most appropriate treatment with earnest consultation, the most tender care and attention.

The major infertility examination

(For women) general infertility treatment, laparoscopy, salpingoscopy, hysteroscopy (For men) semen examination, fertility examination.

laparoscopy
The laparoscopy is the most important examination for finding the cause of infertility. For example, it is difficult to observe adhesions and the condition of an ovary with a hysterosalpingography or by other general methods of examination. But for those cases, more than 90% of the cause(s) of problems are found by using the laparoscopy, so the patient can receive an appropriate treatment. During the examination, treatment can be administered at the same time. For example, if an adhesion is observed, the adhesion can be lysis during the observation. The laparoscopy is also used for observing sperm transport in the tubes. On the patient's examination day, artificial insemination is performed, and the laparoscopy can check whether the spemium reaches the uterine tube or not. In other ways, the salpingoscopy and the hysteroscopy are used at the same time for thoroughly researching and examining the cause of infertility.

Fertility Ability Examination of Sperm
For accomplishing the completion of fertility, sperm must achive an acrosomal reaction and should pass through the most difficult zone of the zona pellucida by discharging resolution enzymes. Fertility ability is, so to speak, the ability to pass through the zona pellucida. In other words, the ability to induce an acrosomal reaction. Furthermore, it is necessary for sperm to have kinetic ability. Because if it lacks kinetic ability, the sperm can not pass through the zona pellucida even though the acrosomal reaction is normal. Sperm needs both the power of acheiving an acrosomal reaction (biochemical fertility-ability of semen) and the power of passing through the zona pellucida (mechanical fertility-ability of sperm).

Contents of Treatment
・ Artificial insemination, (AI) (artificial insemination of husband, intrauterine, in uterine tubes, intra peritoneum)
・ In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer
・ Gamete in uterine tube transplantation
・ in vitro fertilization embryo tubal replacement
・ Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection
・ Tuboplasty salpingoplasty
・ Laparoscopic operation
・ Hysteroscopic operation
・ Others

In Vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer
In case of intractable infertility, IVF-ET is used for treatment. The procedures are: retrieving a mature ovum from the ovary, and inducing it to fertilize the semen by use of in vitro fertilization, then putting it into the uterus. In principle, Sanno Hospital prefers "more moderate stimulation", to avoid excessive stimulation. For example, when collecting eggs, the anesthesiologist is in charge of anesthesia for avoiding pain during the egg collection from the patient. When using this procedure, the patient does not need to be admitted in the hospital, because the treatment takes no longer than a day.

ICSI
ICSI is the ultimate treatment for infertility of men, subject to astheno sperma and oligospermia. Under the microscope, semen is directly injected into an ovum. The ratio of fertility shows no difference to that of IVF. ICSI is applied to the case of zoosperm on condition that a sperm can be collected.

GIFT
GIFT has been developed for the treatment of infertility in the case of unknown causes. Semen and an ovum are directly transplanted into the tubes. By using GIFT, fertility is achieved in the tubes inside the patient's body. So, it is the most natural way to achieved original fertilization. For women in their forties and above, GIFT has shown a higher success ratio of fertilization compared to artificial fertilization. When the laproscope is used, the patient is not normally admitted to the hospital.

IVF-ETR and ZIFT
IVF-ETR and ZIFT are procedures involving the transplantation of an artificially fertilized egg into the uterine tube with a laparoscope. Considered more physiological than the in vitro method, the fertilized egg is returned to the tubes at an early stage. The pregnancy rate is the highest, and this method can be adapted to the cases of those who could not become pregnant with in vitro fertilization. In principle, ZIFT is a one day treatment, so there is no need for admission to the hospital.

Anesthesia
A certified anesthesiologist takes care of patients even before and after their operation. All operation rooms are administrated and organized by the department. At the forefront of other organizations, we are proud that we apply anesthesia to the operation of collecting eggs from the patient's body for the purpose of extracting their pain. This method is safe and comfortable for the patients, and the patients really appreciate the extra care.

LAPAROSCOPIC OPERATION
The laparoscopic operation is performed in cases of tuboplasty, oophorocystectomy, extrauterine pregnancy and other cases. The necessary period of hospital admission is one night. A needle-like laparoscopy, 3mm in diameter, is used for the operation. Three incisions are made into the skin, 5mm each in length. The incisions are closed with special tape, making scares unobtrusive.