Uterine transplantation: a systematic review

Abstract

Up to 15% of the reproductive population is infertile, and 3 to 5% of these cases are caused by uterine dysfunction. This abnormality generally leads women to consider surrogacy or adoption. Uterine transplantation, although still experimental, may be an option in these cases. This systematic review will outline the recommendations, surgical aspects, immunosuppressive drugs and reproductive aspects related to experimental uterine transplantation in women.

Modified human uterus transplantation using ovarian veins for venous drainage: the first report of surgically successful robotic-assisted uterus procurement and follow-up for 12 months

“…The etiology of uterine infertility can be congenital or acquired, such as Mayer-Rokitansky-K€ uster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, previous hysterectomy, uterine agenesis, and severe intrauterine adhesions (1). The overall prevalence of infertility is %15% of the reproductive population, and 3%-5% of all cases of infertility are caused by uterine factor infertility (2). Absolute uterine factor infertility is the only major type of female infertility that remains untreatable.…”

Starting a uterus transplantation service: notes from a small island

“…A systematic review of UTx concluded that uterine transplantation, being a new and viable therapeutic option for patients with uterus‐related infertility who wish to have a child, must be performed at centres of expertise that specialise in reproductive medicine, transplantation techniques, and related skills . The experience of Sweden, which has the best outcomes to date, shows that these alone are insufficient.…”

“…A systematic review of UTx concluded that uterine transplantation, being a new and viable therapeutic option for patients with uterus-related infertility who wish to have a child, must be performed at centres of expertise that specialise in reproductive medicine, transplantation techniques, and related skills. 14 The experience of Sweden, which has the best outcomes to date, shows that these alone are insufficient. Systematic animal research, from rodents, through domestic species, and finally to non-human primates, with more than a decade of team training of clinically active doctors in the large animal models, formed the crux of their success, and could possibly explain the less successful outcomes from other centres with a different developmental trajectory.…”

Uterus Transplant: Does It Have Legs?

“…In a systematic review chronicling the uterus transplants in human beings to date [6], it was noted that the first uterus transplant done in Saudi Arabia [7] in 2002 resulted in a graft loss and hysterectomy was done after 3 months. In this case, the donor was a 46-year-old patient who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy for large bilateral multicystic ovarian masses.…”