Introduction: Uterus transplantation

Abstract

Uterus transplantation is the first available treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility. Live births have been reported after transplantation of uteri both from live and deceased donors. Although this novel infertility treatment is still at its experimental stage, with human attempts performed within clinical trials, there is a rapid development in the field. Up until June 2019 more than 60 human uterus transplantation attempts have been performed and the scientific data of the published cases will be reviewed in relation to surgery and outcome. The assisted reproductive technologies that are used before and after uterus transplantation have to be modified for this patient group. The special demands for invitro fertilization in a patient with no uterus and with embryo transfer in a transplanted uterus will be discussed. Traditionally, uterus transplantation has been performed through laparotomy in both the donor and the recipient. There is now a move to introduce minimally invasive surgery in live donor surgery transplantation, and in the future this may also be applied to recipient surgery. There is a continuous debate whether live donor or deceased donor uterus is the organ source for optimal outcome. Ongoing studies and the general development of the uterus transplantation field will shed light on the pros and cons of each donor source.