Long-term health-related quality-of-life and psychosocial outcomes after uterus transplantation: a 5-year follow-up of donors and recipients

STUDY QUESTION

What are the outcomes regarding health-related quality-of-life, mood, and marital relationship of recipients and donors 5 years after uterus transplantation (UTx) and uterus donation?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Both recipients and donors generally demonstrated long-term stability regarding psychosocial outcomes but with negative deviations associated with unsuccessful outcomes.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

UTx is the first infertility treatment for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. The procedure can be performed with either a uterus donation from a live donor (LD), typically a close relative, or from a deceased, multi-organ donor. There are many potential stressful events over several years after UTx both for recipients and for LDs and these events may have impacts on quality-of-life and mental well-being.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This, prospective observational cohort study includes the nine recipients and LDs of the first human UTx trial. They were assessed in 2017-2018 by questionnaires 5 years after UTx.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The nine recipients (ages 32-43 years) and their respective LDs (ages 44-67 years) were either related (n = 8) or friends (n = 1). Eight recipients had congenital uterine absence and one was hysterectomized due to cervical cancer. For two recipients, UTx resulted in early graft failures, while six of the other seven recipients gave birth to a total of eight babies over the following 5 years. Physical and mental component summaries of health-related quality-of-life were measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Mood was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Relationship with partner was measured with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Comparisons were made between the values after 5 years and the values before uterus donation/transplantation.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Five years after primary UTx, the majority of recipients scored above the predicted value of the general population on quality-of-life, except for two women, one of whom had a viable graft but no live birth and one recipient who was strained by quality-of-life changes, possibly related to parenthood transitions. Regarding mood, only one value (anxiety) was above the threshold for further clinical assessment. Recipients showed declining satisfaction with their marital relationships, but all reported scores above the 'at risk for divorce' threshold at the time of the final assessment in our study. The LDs were all found to be stable and above the predicted value of the general population regarding mental components of quality-of-life. Three LDs showed declined physical components, possibly related to older age. Only one LD reported a value in mood (anxiety) that would need further assessment. The marital satisfaction of LDs remained stable and unchanged compared to baseline values. Notably, the two recipients with early graft failures, and their related LDs, regained their mental well-being during the first years after graft failure and remained stable after 5 years.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The restricted sample size and the single-centre study-design are limitations of this study. Additionally the study was limited to LD UTx, as opposed to deceased donor UTx.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our study shows that both LDs and recipients had acceptable or favourable quality-of-life outcomes, including mood assessment, at the 5-year follow-up mark, and that failure to achieve a live birth negatively affected these modalities both for LDs and recipients. Moreover, an important finding was that LDs and recipients are not reacting with depression after hysterectomy, which is common after hysterectomy in the general population.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Funding was provided by the Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Handlanden Hjalmar Svensson Foundation, Swedish Governmental ALF Grant, and Swedish Research Council. There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01844362.

Uterus transplantation: from research, through human trials and into the future

Women suffering from absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) had no hope of childbearing until clinical feasibility of uterus transplantation (UTx) was documented in 2014 with the birth of a healthy baby. This landmark accomplishment followed extensive foundational work with a wide range of animal species including higher primates. In the present review, we provide a summary of the animal research and describe the results of cases and clinical trials on UTx. Surgical advances for graft removal from live donors and transplantation to recipients are improving, with a recent trend away from laparotomy to robotic approaches, although challenges persist regarding optimum immunosuppressive therapies and tests for graft rejection. Because UTx does not involve transplantation of the Fallopian tubes, IVF is required as part of the UTx process. We provide a unique focus on the intersection between these two processes, with consideration of when oocyte retrieval should be performed, whether, and for whom, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy should be used, whether oocytes or embryos should be frozen and when the first embryo transfer should be performed post-UTx. We also address the utility of an international society UTx (ISUTx) registry for assessing overall UTx success rates, complications, and live births. The long-term health outcomes of all parties involved-the uterus donor (if live donor), the recipient, her partner and any children born from the transplanted graft-are also reviewed. Unlike traditional solid organ transplantation procedures, UTx is not lifesaving, but is life-giving, although as with traditional types of transplantation, costs, and ethical considerations are inevitable. We discuss the likelihood that costs will decrease as efficiency and efficacy improve, and that ethical complexities for and against acceptability of the procedure sharpen the distinctions between genetic, gestational, and social parenthood. As more programs wish to offer the procedure, we suggest a scheme for setting up a UTx program as well as future directions of this rapidly evolving field. In our 2010 review, we described the future of clinical UTx based on development of the procedure in animal models. This Grand Theme Review offers a closing loop to this previous review of more than a decade ago. The clinical feasibility of UTx has now been proved. Advancements include widening the criteria for acceptance of donors and recipients, improving surgery, shortening time to pregnancy, and improving post-UTx management. Together, these improvements catalyze the transition of UTx from experimental into mainstream clinical practice. The procedure will then represent a realistic and accessible alternative to gestational surrogacy for the treatment of AUFI and should become part of the armamentarium of reproductive specialists worldwide.

Uterus Transplantation as a Surgical Innovation

Uterus transplantation (UTx) research has been introduced in several countries, with trials in Sweden and the United States producing successful outcomes. The growing interest in developing UTx trials in other countries, such as Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, and Australia, raises important questions regarding the ethics of surgical innovation research in the field of UTx. This paper examines the current state of UTx in the context of the surgical innovation paradigm and IDEAL framework and discusses the ethical challenges faced by those considering the introduction of new trials. We argue that UTx remains an experimental procedure at a relatively early stage of the IDEAL framework, especially in the context of de novo trials, where protocols are likely to deviate from those used previously and where researchers are likely to have limited experience of UTx. We conclude that countries considering the introduction of UTx trials should build on the strengths of the reported outcomes to consolidate the evidence base and shed light on the uncertainties of the procedure. Authorities responsible for the ethical governance of UTx trials are advised to draw on the ethical framework used in the oversight of surgical innovation.

Awareness and Interest in Uterus Transplantation over Time: Analysis of Those Seeking Surgical Correction for Uterine-Factor Infertility in the US

This study describes the characteristics of women who contacted an active program performing uterus transplantation (UTx) in the US, expressing interest in becoming a uterus transplant recipient or a living donor. Basic demographic and self-reported clinical information was collected from women who contacted any of the three US UTx programs from 2015 to July 2022. The three centers received 5194 inquiries about becoming a UTx recipient during the study timeframe. Among those reporting a cause of infertility, almost all of the reports (4066/4331, 94%) were absence of a uterus, either congenitally (794/4066, 20%) or secondary to hysterectomy (3272/4066, 80%). The mean age was 34 years, and 49% (2545/5194) had at least one child at the time of application. The two centers using living donors received 2217 inquiries about becoming living donors. The mean age was 34 years, and 60% (1330/2217) had given birth to ≥1 child. While most of the UTx clinical trial evidence has focused on young women with congenital absence of the uterus, these results show interest from a much broader patient population in terms of age, cause of infertility, and parity. These results raise questions about whether and to what extent the indications and eligibility criteria for UTx should be expanded as the procedure transitions from the experimental phase to being offered as a clinical treatment.

Identifying the palliative care needs of patients and families in gynecologic surgical oncology: A scoping review

Introduction: Patients undergoing oncology-related gynecologic surgical procedures experience substantial symptom burden and distress. Support from specialist palliative care teams may benefit these patients and their families; however, an evidence-informed approach to the integration of palliative care and gynecologic surgical oncology is needed. To inform such an approach, a scoping review synthesizing current evidence on the palliative care needs of patients and families in gynecologic surgical oncology was conducted.Methods: Reviewers performed a structured search of online databases CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and PubMed in addition to the grey literature to identify relevant studies published between 2011 and June 11th, 2021. The original search identified 993 articles, which were dually screened for study inclusion, resulting in a final sample of articles from which data were systematically extracted and synthesized.Results: This review of 59 publications predominantly consisted of European studies (n = 26, 44.1%), described quantitative study methods (n = 47, 79.6%), followed an observational study design (n = 49, 83.1%), and focused on psychological impact of treatment as a major topic of study (n = 21, 35.6%). The dataset also described sexual function of women post treatment (n = 15, 25.4%), quality of life (n = 10, 16.9%), therapeutic decision making (n = 9, 15.2%), pain assessment (n = 2, n = 3.6%), and medication for symptom management (n = 2, 3.6%). Explicit discussion of specialist palliative care involvement was rare.Conclusion: The needs of patients and families in gynecologic surgical oncology are well-suited to palliative care collaboration; however, the body of literature on palliative care services provided to this unique population is underdeveloped.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation: emerging psychosocial issues in hand, face, and uterine transplant

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Currently, several research approaches warrant further attention, given the influence of psychosocial and bioethical issues on the success of upper extremity (UETx), face (FTx), and uterine transplantation (UTx). This review will highlight recent results of psychosocial and bioethical research in the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), discuss most recent findings, provide information to guide future research approaches, and address the importance of a multicenter research approach to develop international standards.

RECENT FINDINGS

Previously published reports have tried to identify psychosocial factors that are essential to predict psychosocial outcomes and guide posttransplant treatment after VCA procedures. These issues in VCA are receiving more attention but we are still at the beginning of a systematic investigation of these domains. This review article summarizes the emerging psychosocial issues in UeTx, FTx, and UTx by including recent literature and current clinical practice.

SUMMARY

Even though different VCA procedures address different domains leading to specific psychosocial issues, common aspects impacting all forms of VCA would benefit of further coordination. These domains include clinical resources, public attitude and perception, bioethical considerations, adherence and rehabilitation, motives for VCA, information needs and multidisciplinary communication, body image, domains of quality of life, coping strategies, and follow-up care.

Tissue Engineering in Gynecology

Female gynecological organ dysfunction can cause infertility and psychological distress, decreasing the quality of life of affected women. Incidence is constantly increasing due to growing rates of cancer and increase of childbearing age in the developed world. Current treatments are often unable to restore organ function, and occasionally are the cause of female infertility. Alternative treatment options are currently being developed in order to face the inadequacy of current practices. In this review, pathologies and current treatments of gynecological organs (ovaries, uterus, and vagina) are described. State-of-the-art of tissue engineering alternatives to common practices are evaluated with a focus on in vivo models. Tissue engineering is an ever-expanding field, integrating various domains of modern science to create sophisticated tissue substitutes in the hope of repairing or replacing dysfunctional organs using autologous cells. Its application to gynecology has the potential of restoring female fertility and sexual wellbeing.

The Ethical Evolution of Uterus Transplantation From Concept to Clinical Procedure

Uterus transplantation (UTx) offers women with absolute uterine factor infertility a path to motherhood that enables them to carry their own pregnancy. Debates about the ethics of UTx have evolved in tandem with its clinical evolution: clinical trials have provided evidence regarding risks and benefits to donors and recipients that were initially uncertain; technical advances have altered the balance between risks and benefits; and the experiences of donors and recipients has revealed questions that were not anticipated. As UTx transitions to a clinical procedure, questions remain about long-term risks and benefits, applications beyond carrying a pregnancy, and cost and access.

The journey from infertility to uterus transplantation: A qualitative study of the perspectives of participants in the Dallas Uterus Transplant Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess how absolute uterine factor infertility affects women who undergo uterus transplantation, how uterus transplantation impacts women with absolute uterine factor infertility and how uterus transplant recipients view uterus transplantation in terms of their reproductive autonomy.

DESIGN

Qualitative semi-structured interview study.

SETTING

Uterus transplant programme in a large academic medical centre in the USA.

POPULATION/SAMPLE

Twenty one uterus transplant recipients.

METHODS

A medical chart review was conducted to collect patient demographic information and clinical outcomes. Semi-structured interviews collected information regarding participants' experience.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The outcomes of interest were participants' experience of infertility, experience with uterus transplantation and general perceptions of uterus transplantation.

RESULTS

Six participants were pregnant (one with a second child), six had experienced early graft failure and removal, five had delivered a healthy baby, and four had a viable graft and were awaiting embryo transfer. The primary themes identified were: the negative impact of absolute uterine factor infertility diagnosis on psychological wellbeing, relationships and female identity; the positive impact of uterus transplantation on healing the emotional scars of absolute uterine factor infertility, female identity and value of research trial participation and the perception of uterus transplantation as an expansion of reproductive autonomy. All participants reported that uterus transplantation was worthwhile, regardless of individual outcome.

CONCLUSION

Absolute uterine factor infertility has a negative impact on women from a young age, affects multiple relationships and challenges female identity. Uterus transplantation helps to reverse this impact, transforming women's life narrative of infertility and enhancing female identity.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) adversely affects women. Uterus transplantation helps mitigate the negative impact of AUFI, by transforming women's life narratives of infertility and enhancing female identity.

Striving for motherhood after uterus transplantation: a qualitative study concerning pregnancy attempts, and the first years of parenthood after transplantation

STUDY QUESTION

How do women experience attempts to become pregnant, and the first years of motherhood, after uterus transplantation (UTx)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Women who try to become pregnant after UTx experience the general strains typically associated with infertility and childlessness, such as failure of embryo transfer (ET), and specific worries about graft survival but when they become mothers they essentially feel like other mothers, with the associated rewards and stresses.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

UTx has proven to be a successful treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). Although UTx seems to have a positive effect on self-image there is a lack of knowledge about how women who have received uterine grafts experience pregnancy attempts, pregnancy itself and the first years of motherhood.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This prospective cohort study included the seven participants in the first UTx trial who had experienced surgically successful grafts. Pregnancy was attempted using ET 12 months after transplantation. Structured interviews were performed once a year for 5 years after transplantation.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Six of the seven participants (mean age 29.3 years at UTx) had AUFI owing to the congenital absence of the uterus, while the seventh woman had undergone a hysterectomy. Post-transplantation, yearly interviews (2013-2018) were performed, comprising a total of 34 interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

All seven participants achieved pregnancy during the study period and six became mothers. Experiencing the previously unimaginable was classed as an overarching theme with the following underlying themes: The yoke of childlessness; Going through the impossible and Motherhood as surreal and normal. The results showed that the women who try to achieve motherhood after UTx generally describe their situation as manageable and present strains comparable to other women undergoing infertility treatments.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The fact that all participants came from one centre is a limitation.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

There are real psychological strains in motherhood after UTx, such as the concern the women expressed relating to health of the child and the effects of immunosuppressants. These findings are in line with those of other women who became pregnant after transplantation of organs other than the uterus. The results show that extra psychological support and attention should be given to those with repeated pregnancy failures or unsuccessful outcomes. In the cases where women became mothers, attention needs to be given to the possible worries connected to the UTx, but in other respects, they should be treated like any mother-to-be.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Funding was received from the Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. A.L.F. grant from the Swedish state under an agreement between the government and the county councils; Swedish Research Council. The authors have no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01844362.

Uterus transplantation: ethical considerations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Uterus transplantation (Utx) offers women with absolute uterine factor infertility the opportunity to carry their own pregnancies. As Utx transitions from an experimental to standard clinical procedure, we review the status of the ethical issues applicable to the stakeholders involved.

RECENT FINDINGS

With more than 65 Utx procedures reported to date, evidence is accruing that enables the chance of success - a live birth - for the recipient to be weighed against the risks the recipient incurs through the Utx process, as well as risks to living donors undergoing surgery, to children exposed in utero to immunosuppressants and the uterine graft environment, and to third parties related to uterus procurement from multiorgan deceased donors. Experience has also informed aspects of recipient and donor autonomy that must be safeguarded.

SUMMARY

Clinical trial results provides a basis for weighing the interests of the stakeholders implicated in Utx, and so can inform transplant centers' and regulatory bodies' development of policies and protocols that will determine access to Utx and allocation of organs, together with other considerations of justice. Additional evidence, particularly on long-term outcomes, is needed, and new questions can be expected to arise as access to and indications for Utx broaden.

Uterus transplantation worldwide: clinical activities and outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Women with absolute uterine factor infertility, because of uterine absence, or the presence of a nonfunctional uterus, were regarded as being untreatable until 2014 when the first birth following uterus transplantation (UTx) took place in Sweden. This proof-of-concept occurred in a woman with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHs) with congenital uterine absence, who received a uterus from a 61-year-old live donor (LD). Since then, several births after UTx have occurred in Sweden and subsequently in other countries, including both LD and deceased donor (DD) transplants. A great majority of the recipients were women with MRKHs. The efficiency and safety of UTx can be determined only when a complete study cohort of transplanted women have reached the definitive endpoint of graft hysterectomy. The different outcomes of transplanted women include graft failure, as well as graft survival with failure to achieve livebirth, or livebirth(s). Published data from a completed trial are not yet available. The results that we have to rely on are reports of completed surgeries and interim outcomes that may be as early as a few months after surgery and up to several years after UTx. The purpose of this review is to give an update on all published clinical UTx data and major results, including live births up to mid 2021.

RECENT FINDINGS

The interim results of a number of UTx studies have been published. LD UTx procedures have been reported from four European countries (Sweden, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain), four Asian nations (Saudi Arabia, India, China, Lebanon), as well as some from the USA. DD UTx procedures have been reported from Turkey, the Czech Republic, the USA and Brazil. To our knowledge, there also exist unpublished UTx cases from some of the countries mentioned above and from at least four other countries (Serbia, France, Mexico, Italy). We estimate that at least 80 UTx procedures have been performed, resulting in more than 40 births. The present study includes only data from published, peer-reviewed, research papers. The results of 62 UTx cases show an overall surgical success rate, as defined by a technically successful transplantation with a subsequent regular menstrual pattern, of 76%. The success rates for LD and DD UTx procedures were 78% and 64%, respectively. The rate of serious postsurgical complications requiring invasive or radiological intervention was 18% for LDs and 19% for recipients. The cumulative live birth rate in successful UTx procedures is estimated to be above 80%. Twenty-four births after UTx have been reported and the results show a high rate of preterm birth, with an associated high proportion of respiratory distress syndrome.

SUMMARY

UTx has proven to be a successful treatment for uterine factor infertility at several centers around the world. The modest success rate and the fairly high complication rate among LDs, indicate that further research and development under strict governance are needed before this option should be widely offered.

Psychological Characteristics of Recipients Pretransplantation in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (DUETS)

INTRODUCTION

Uterus transplantation is now a viable option for fertility treatment for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. Psychological assessment is recommended as a part of the perioperative evaluation process.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological characteristics and mental health history of the 20 women who participated in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (DUETS) trial.

DESIGN

This retrospective observational descriptive study was part of a prospective clinical trial. Prior to transplant, 20 women completed a clinical psychological interview, 19 of whom also completed psychological assessment measures including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 item, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, 36-Item Short Form, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 item, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

RESULTS

Women who participated in the trial had high health-related quality of life and minimal psychological history, with most reporting psychological distress associated with their initial infertility diagnosis (N = 13). None of the participants endorsed psychological distress to meet clinical concerns on the psychological measures used. Satisfaction with relationship adjustment with their partners was also high.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with absolute uterine factor infertility who underwent uterus transplant demonstrated low psychological distress on assessment measures, were resilient, had high health related quality of life, and strong satisfaction with the quality of relationships with their partners. Although some women reported either current or past psychological diagnosis, most reported psychological distress that occurred at the time of the infertility diagnosis and appeared to resolve over time.

Uterus transplantation-questions and answers about the procedure that is expanding the field of solid organ transplantation

Uterus transplant is a new and rapidly evolving field of solid organ transplantation designed to help women with absolute uterine-factor infertility who desire to carry their own pregnancies. The advent of this procedure and human clinical trials of uterus transplantation have raised technical, clinical, and ethical questions. We address several questions about uterus transplantation based on available literature and the clinical experience at Baylor University Medical Center, which has the largest uterus transplant program in the United States.

The costs of human uterus transplantation: a study based on the nine cases of the initial Swedish live donor trial

STUDY QUESTION

What are the costs of live donor uterus transplantation in a European setting?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The total costs for preoperative investigations, including IVF, and live donor uterus transplantation including postoperative costs for 2 months, were calculated to be €74 564 (mean), with the costs of recipient being somewhat higher than for donor and the cost components of total costs distributed between sick leave (25.7%), postoperative hospitalization (17.8%), surgery (17.1%), preoperative investigations (15.7%), anaesthesia (9.7%), drugs (7.8%), tests after surgery (4.0%) and for re-hospitalization (2.2%).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Uterus transplantation has proved to be successful by demonstrations of live births, both after live donor and deceased donor procedures. The transplantation is considered as a complex and expensive infertility treatment. There exist no analyses of costs involved in uterus transplantation.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This prospective cohort study included nine uterus transplantations procedures, performed in Sweden in 2013. Study duration of this health economic study included 6-12 months of pre-transplantation investigations and the time interval from transplantation to 2 months after.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Nine triads of uterus recipient, partner of recipient and uterus donor participated. All prospective recipients were in stable relationships and performed IVF with their partners before transplantation. The nine donors were relatives or family friends. The recipients and donors underwent pre-transplantation investigations with imaging, laboratory tests and psychological/medical screening prior to transplantation. Transplantation was by laparotomy in both donor and recipient. Standard immunosuppression and postoperative medication were used. After discharge from the hospital, the recipients were followed frequently with laboratory tests and examinations.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The mean costs for preoperative investigations, including IVF, and live donor uterus transplantation with postoperative costs for 2 months, were calculated to be €74 564 (range €50 960-€99 658), from a societal perspective. The four largest components were cost of sick leave (€19 164), cost of postoperative hospitalization (€13 246), surgery cost (€12 779) and costs for preoperative investigations, including IVF (€11 739). Smaller components were costs for anaesthesia (€7207), costs for drugs (€5821), costs for post-surgical tests (€2985) and costs for re-hospitalization (€1623). The costs of the recipient (€42 984) were somewhat higher than the costs of the donor (€31 580), but in terms of costs, they should be viewed as one entity. By using a health care perspective, excluding cost for productivity loss, the total costs would be reduced by 26%.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

A limitation is the restricted sample size and that this is in the experimental, clinical stage of development.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The results provide the first information concerning the costs for pre-transplantation investigations and uterus transplantation procedures with postoperative follow-up. We consider the total estimate to be in the higher interval, because of the extensive research protocol. It is likely that the cost of live donor uterus transplantation will vary between countries and that the costs will be lower in a future clinical setting.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Funding was received from the Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science; the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; an ALF grant from the Swedish state under an agreement between the government and the county councils; and the Swedish Research Council. None of the authors have a conflict of interest with regard to the study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01844362.

First live birth after uterus transplantation in the Middle East

Background

The first live birth after uterus transplantation took place in Sweden in 2014. It was the first ever cure for absolute uterine factor infertility. We report the surgery, assisted reproduction, and pregnancy behind the first live birth after uterus transplantation in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region.

A 24-year old woman with congenital absence of the uterus underwent transplantation of the uterus donated by her 50-year-old multiparous mother. In vitro fertilization was performed to cryopreserve embryos. Both graft retrieval and transplantation were performed by laparotomy. Donor surgery included isolation of the uterus, together with major uterine arteries and veins on segments of the internal iliac vessels bilaterally, the round ligaments, and the sacrouterine ligaments, as well as with bladder peritoneum. Recipient surgery included preparation of the vaginal vault, end-to-side anastomosis to the external iliac arteries and veins on each side, and then fixation of the uterus.

Results

One in vitro fertilization cycle prior to transplantation resulted in 11 cryopreserved embryos. Surgical time of the donor was 608 min, and blood loss was 900 mL. Cold ischemia time was 85 min. Recipient surgical time was 363 min, and blood loss was 700 mL. Anastomosis time was 105 min. Hospital stay was 7 days for both patients. Ten months after the transplantation, one previously cryopreserved blastocyst was transferred which resulted in viable pregnancy, which proceeded normally (except for one episode of minor vaginal bleeding in the 1st trimester) until cesarean section at 35 + 1 weeks due to premature contractions and shortened cervix. A healthy girl (Apgar 9-10-10) weighing 2620 g was born in January 2020, and her development has been normal during the first 6 months.

Conclusions

This is the first report of a healthy live birth after uterus transplantation in the MENAT region. We hope that this will motivate further progress and additional clinical trials in this area in the Middle East Region, where the first uterus transplantation attempt ever, however unsuccessful, was performed already three decades ago.