Revaluation and lessons learned from the first 9 cases of a Czech uterus transplantation trial: Four deceased donor and 5 living donor uterus transplantations
Abstract
Although uterus transplantation is still in the experimental stage, it has promising potential as a treatment for women with absolute uterine factor infertility based on the childbirths from living donor trials conducted in Sweden and the United States. We report the main characteristics and perioperative and postoperative courses of both recipients and donors following 4 deceased donor and 5 living donor uterus transplantations.
Three main priorities differentiate this study from the previously reported uterus transplantations. First, clinical experience with the largest worldwide group of deceased donor uterine transplants is described.
Second, in the majority of living donor uterine recipients, only 2 ovarian veins were used for venous blood outflow. All of these recipient procedures were surgically successful, and follow-up posttransplant ultrasound examinations revealed normal uterine blood supply and outflow.
Third, in only one living and one deceased donor recipient, the transplanted uterus relied on only 2 uterine veins for venous outflow with a 50% surgical success rate. In all other recipients, 2 uterine and 2 ovarian veins were utilized.
Although a successful pregnancy has not yet been achieved, the presented surgical and functional results of our trial are promising.