612 Uterus Transplantation: An Overview

Abstract

Introduction Uterine transplantation (UTx) allows women with abnormal uterine factor infertility (AUFI) to have their own biological children. UTx use both living and deceased donations (LD and DD), and once transplanted, embryos fertilised through IVF are implanted. The aims of this review are to summarise the history of UTx and discuss the ethical issues surrounding immunosuppression and living donations for a ‘life enhancing’ transplant. Method Data on UTx, clinical trials and resulting births was found by conducting a literature search on PubMed and other medical databases. Additionally, newspaper articles, institutional press releases and conference proceedings were used as some of the data is yet to be published. Results 72 UTx have been performed which have resulted in 29 live births. The first LD UTx was performed in 2000 but was removed due to graft thrombosis. The first live births from LD and DD UTx were achieved in 2014 and 2017 respectively. Conclusions Live births provide proofs of concept of UTx. Graft rejection, vessel thrombosis and infection are amongst reasons for graft failure. Development of an international registry for UTx is important to monitor the progress of all transplants in the long term to determine its medical and ethical feasibility as a treatment for AUFI.