Introduction:
Womb transplantation is a clinical procedure that provides the possibility of motherhood for women facing uterine factor infertility. The advancement in reproductive medicine allows women to carry the joy of childbirth who face pregnancy difficulties. Initially, womb transplantation was experimental, but now, the advancement in reproductive medicine has made it to successful live births. It raises hope for women who have a congenital absence of a uterus, any uterine-related medical conditions, or surgical removal of the uterus. Additionally, it is a ray of light for women bereft from the natural path of motherhood for a long time. Worldwide, uterine factor infertility affects women in their childbearing age. The first case of womb transplantation was performed in 2014 in Sweden. The article discusses womb transplantation, its procedure, indications, contraindications, risks, and side effects.
What Is Womb Transplantation?
A womb transplant is a surgical clinical procedure. It is a procedure in which the womb is removed from a healthy woman and is transplanted to a woman who needs it for childbirth or a woman with uterine factor infertility. The other name of womb transplantation is uterus transplant. Uterine factor infertility refers to the condition in which women are unable to carry due to the non-functionality of the uterus. The objective of the womb transplant is to provide function to the uterus. It is a new experimental procedure with a successful case of live births.
What Is the Procedure for Womb Transplantation?
The procedure of womb transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves several steps. The overview of the steps of the procedure is described below:
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Donor Selection: The healthcare provider may carefully select a donor. The healthy uterus may be obtained from a dead person. Although, in some cases, a living donor can be obtained. The medical and psychological assessment of the donor is done, and even the compatibility with the recipient is checked.
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Recipient Evaluation: The recipient is the person from whom the uterus is removed. The medical and psychological evaluation is done to ensure the suitability of the correct candidate for the procedure. The assessment checks the compatibility between the donor uterus and the recipient uterus.
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Surgery Preparation: The preoperative testing of the donor and recipient is performed before the surgery preparation.
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Donor Surgery: The uterus can be removed from the deceased person or the person who is alive. Surgically, the uterus is removed from the donor's body. The surgery is performed immediately after organ procurement.
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Recipient Surgery: The healthcare provider may perform surgery for the transplantation of the uterus. The uterus removed from the donor is carefully transplanted into the recipient's pelvic region with the attachment of blood vessels. The motive of uterus transplantation is to provide function of the uterus.
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Monitoring: After transplantation, careful monitoring of blood flow to the transplanted uterus is done to ensure the proper functioning of the transplanted uterus. The doctor may administer immunosuppressive medications to prevent the rejection of the donor organ.
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Post-Operative Care: The patient is advised to stay in the hospital long. So, as to recover from surgery. The healthcare team will do continuous monitoring and medical management to prevent complications.
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Follow-Up: The patient is advised to make a follow-up appointment for close monitoring in the weeks and months following the surgical procedure. The doctor may perform periodic biopsies and tests to assess the health and function of the transplanted uterus.
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Fertility Treatment: Once the transplanted uterus is healed and the uterus properly functions. The assisted reproductive techniques such as in-vitro fertilization may be used to attempt pregnancy.
What Are the Indications and Contraindications?
The indications and contraindications of womb transplant are described below:
Indications:
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Absolute Uterine Factor Infertility: The main indication is absolute uterine factor infertility. The process by which the woman cannot become pregnant and carry a pregnancy due to the non-functionality of the uterus.
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Congenital Uterine Absence: Some women with congenital disorders in which the uterus is absent. Then, the surgical procedure is indicated.
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Hysterectomy: Some women may undergo a procedure in which the uterus is removed surgically. The process is called hysterectomy. The surgical removal of the uterus can be due to several medical reasons, such as uterine cancer.
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Uterine Dysfunction: In some women, the uterus is present. However, the uterus can be non-functional. This can be due to several medical conditions with severe intrauterine adhesions and scarring.
Contraindications:
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Medical Unfitness: Women with certain medical conditions that can cause post-surgical complications and women who cannot tolerate immunosuppressive medications.
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Age: The advanced age of the mother or pregnancy at an older age may carry risks for both the mother and the infant.
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Severe Pelvic Adhesions: Women with extensive pelvic adhesions or with scarring from previous surgeries can make the clinical procedure challenging. This can increase the risk of complications.
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Recent Cancer: Women with cancer are not suitable for womb transplantation.
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Psychological Factors: Women with psychological factors in which they are unable to cope with the physical and emotional demands of the procedure.
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Uncontrolled Medical Conditions: Women with uncontrolled diabetes are contraindicated for the procedure because of the increased risk during surgery and pregnancy.
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Previous Organ Transplant: Women with previous organ transplants, such as kidney and liver, may face difficulties during organ transplantation.
What Are the Benefits of Womb Transplantation?
The benefits of womb transplantation are described below:
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The surgical procedure allows the woman to become pregnant, and the woman may be able to give birth to their child.
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It also improves the mental and emotional well-being of women who are unable to become mothers.
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Improved quality of life.
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It allows the women to expand their families.
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Women with complex uterine conditions.
What Are the Risks or Side Effects of Womb Transplantation?
The risks or complications of womb transplantation are as follows:
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The surgical complications include bleeding, infection at the surgical site, and damage to nearby organs.
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Rejection of the transplanted uterus.
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Weaken immune system.
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Psychological and emotional challenges.
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Failure of transplanted uterus.
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High risk of uncomplicated pregnancy.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the womb transplant is a clinical procedure in which the non-functional is surgically removed and implanted in a healthy uterus. The healthy uterus from the healthy person is removed and transplanted into the woman with a congenital absence of the uterus. It maintains the psychological and emotional benefits. The main benefit is allowing the women to become pregnant. If the woman is experiencing any disability related to the uterus, then there is a need to consult a healthcare provider.
