Physicians News Health news for doctors and patients.
The first uterus transplant in the United States was successfully performed Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic. The nine hour surgery used a uterus from a deceased organ donor.
The procedure previously had only been done in Sweden, where nine women have received a new uterus. At least four of those women were able to successfully have babies.
The uterus transplant is intended for women born without a uterus — a rare, genetic condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) — or have had it removed. The recipients must wait at least one year before receiving in vitro fertilization (IVF) to become pregnant and, if successful, give birth by Cesarean delivery.
The transplant is temporary as the uterus will be removed following one or two births at most so that the recipient can stop taking anti-viral medication.
