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Scientists and medical doctors have performed uterine transplants with varying success in animals trials. Only one human uterus transplant has been attempted; the pioneering procedure was done in Saudi Arabia in 2000. After experiencing a postpartum hemorrhage, a woman who needed a hysterectomy received a donated uterus. The transplanted organ functioned for 99 days (including two spontaneous menstrual cycles) before it had to be removed because of clotting issues.
More about the upcoming study from the Telegraph.co.uk:
Eva Ottosson, 56, has agreed to take part in a groundbreaking new medical procedure, which if successful could see her donate her uterus to her 25-year-old daughter Sara.
Doctors hope if the transplant is successful Sara, who was born without reproductive organs, could become pregnant and carry a child in the same womb from which she herself was born.
It is hoped the complex transplant operation could take place as early as next spring in Sweden, where doctors in Gothenburg have been assessing suitable patients for the revolutionary procedure.
Dr Mats Brannstrom, who is leading the medical team, said a womb transplant remained one of the most complex operations known to medical science.
He said: “Technically it is lot more difficult than transplanting a kidney, liver or heart. The difficulty with it is avoiding haemorrhage and making sure you have long enough blood vessels to connect the womb. You are also working deep down in the pelvis area and it is like working in a funnel. It is not like working with a kidney, which is really accessible.”
Mrs Ottosson said she hoped by talking about the operation it would help bring attention to an otherwise rarely publicised condition.
She said: “The girls who have MRKH are a silent group who don’t like to talk about it. So we hope that this will help those girls and that by talking about the condition we can encourage medical science to pinpoint what causes it.”
Read moreDoctors hope if the transplant is successful Sara, who was born without reproductive organs, could become pregnant and carry a child in the same womb from which she herself was born.
It is hoped the complex transplant operation could take place as early as next spring in Sweden, where doctors in Gothenburg have been assessing suitable patients for the revolutionary procedure.
Dr Mats Brannstrom, who is leading the medical team, said a womb transplant remained one of the most complex operations known to medical science.
He said: “Technically it is lot more difficult than transplanting a kidney, liver or heart. The difficulty with it is avoiding haemorrhage and making sure you have long enough blood vessels to connect the womb. You are also working deep down in the pelvis area and it is like working in a funnel. It is not like working with a kidney, which is really accessible.”
Mrs Ottosson said she hoped by talking about the operation it would help bring attention to an otherwise rarely publicised condition.
She said: “The girls who have MRKH are a silent group who don’t like to talk about it. So we hope that this will help those girls and that by talking about the condition we can encourage medical science to pinpoint what causes it.”
An Oversimplified Look at the Uterine Transplant Procedure
Potential transplants are screened for compatibility
Step
Best uterus is selected for transplant
Step
Non-functioning uterus is removed
(or empty pelvic cavity is prepped)
Step
Healthy uterus is surgically placed
Step
Immunosuppressants given to prevent rejection
Step
Risk of infection is managed
Step
Continued monitoring for infection/rejection
Step
Potential transplants are screened for compatibility
Step
Best uterus is selected for transplant
Step
Non-functioning uterus is removed
(or empty pelvic cavity is prepped)
Step
Healthy uterus is surgically placed
Step
Immunosuppressants given to prevent rejection
Step
Risk of infection is managed
Step
Continued monitoring for infection/rejection
Notes:
LiveScience.com: Will Uterus Transplant Succeed? Exclusive Q&A with Surgeon's Collaborator, accessed June 18, 2011
NYTimes.com: Medical First: A Transplant Of a Uterus, accessed June 19, 2011
Ramirez, ER.; Ramirez Nessetti, DK.; Nessetti, MB.; Khatamee, M.; Wolfson, MR.; Shaffer, TH.; Ramirez, VZ.; Ramirez, HA. (2010) "Pregnancy and outcome of uterine allotransplantation and assisted reproduction in sheep.". J Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Vol. 18 (2): 238-45.
doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2010.11.006
