The first uterus transplant carried out in Spain

On October 5, the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona made the first uterus transplant in Spain. The procedure, led by the head of the Gynecology Service, Francisco Carmona, and the head of the Urology and Kidney Transplant Service, Antonio Alcaraz, was possible thanks to the live donation of the uterus from one sister to another.

The main requirement to be a candidate for this type of intervention is to have the Rokitansky syndrome, that is, a congenital disorder of the female reproductive system that affects 1 in 5,000 women in the world. These women are born without a uterus and without fallopian tubes. In this case, the recipient was the only compatible candidate of the 30 who applied.

Uterine transplantation is divided into two phases: removal of the uterus using robotic surgery and implantation in open surgery. The approximate duration was about 12 hours for extraction, and about four hours for implantation.

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The uterus transplant is divided into two phases: the extraction of the uterus carried out by robotic surgery, to be as less invasive as possible, and its implantation in an open surgery. The approximate duration was about 12 hours, in terms of extraction, and about four hours for implantation.

More than 20 people they formed the multidisciplinary team in charge of carrying out the operation; a highly complex process, especially in the first phase of removal of the donor uterus. Among the professionals were gynecologists, transplant surgeons, gynecology and transplant nurses, anesthetists and assistants.

As Alcaraz explains, “the uterus is a complex organ with poor vascularization of the arteries and a large network of veins from which the largest must be sought to drain the blood that reaches the uterus.” To this is added that it is a long process in time since its success, as Carmona comments “is determined by the viability of the organ, that it works and that the woman becomes pregnant.”

More than 20 people formed the team in charge of the operation. / Hospital Clínic | @franciscoavia

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You have already had your first period

Two months after surgery, the evolution has been good. The uterus has demonstrated its functionality as the recipient has had its first menstrual cycle. In a few months an embryo of the 11 previously fertilized in vitro will be implanted.

After having had her first menstrual cycle, in a few months an embryo of the 11 previously fertilized in vitro will be implanted

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In the event that she becomes pregnant, the recipient will be kept with immunosuppressive drugs up to a second pregnancy. Once you have completed your desire to be a mother, your uterus will be removed by laparoscopy after the second delivery, as long as this is your pregnancy desire.