Introduction: Uterus transplantation (UTx) is the only causative treatment for congenital or acquired uterus absence, i.e. absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). Feasibility of uterus transplantation from o live donor and possibility of healthy child birth have been proven in previous clinical study in Sweden. The present study is supposed to extend the swedish experience by including UTx from both live donors and from deceased donors after brain death.
Aim: Treatment of absolute uterine factor infertility that has no other therapy option by uterus transplantation. Extending basic knowledge on UTx. Possible introduction of UTx into clinical practice.
Indications: UTx can be offered to patients with congenital uterus absence - aplasia uteri et vaginae, also called Mullerian aplasia or Rokitansky-Mayer-Kuster-Hauser syndrome (RMKH), in whom previous neo-vagina was created. UTx can be performed also in women with acquired uterus absence on the basis of previous hysterectomy e.g. for myomas, endometriosis, post-partum bleeding, cervical cancer, uterus malformations or intrauterine adhesions. Ovarian function must be preserved and stable male partner is required for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Ethics: Uterus retrieval from a deceased brain-dead donor does not endanger retrieval of other life-saving organs. Live donor does not loose a vitally important organ. The only alternative is adoption of a child. Surrogacy is illegal in many european countries. UTx is the only causative treatment of AUFI. It is is an ethically justifiable life-promoting transplantation. UTx improves quality of live of both the recipient and the live donor by giving an opportunity to have an own child. Board certification for this study was obtained from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic and from the local Ethics Committee.
Methods: Twenty UTx will be performed in total in 2 parallel arms: 10 UTx from a live donor (LD UTx) and 10 UTx from a deceased brain-dead donor (DBD UTx). Patients who have no suitable live donor will be wait-listed for a deceased donor. Compatible blood group and negative cross-match test is required. AB0 incompatible or pair exchange transplantations are also possible. Donors and recipients will be examined by clinical, laboratory and imaging methods. All diagnostic and therapeutic procedures will be performed according to a protocol. Risk and benefit will be assessed by a multi-disciplinary team. Informed consent will be signed. Time period between UTx and embryo transfer is supposed to be about 1 year depending on condition of the recipient and the graft, e.g. level of immunosuppression, rejection or infection episodes. Adverse events will be monitored and addressed. Number of possible pregnancies and child births is estimated to be up to 2. The uterus graft will be removed in the end. Overall time interval of keeping the uterus graft in situ and exposure to immunosuppressive therapy is estimated to be up to 5 years.
Immunosuppression: Induction immunosuppression is based on thymoglobuline and corticosteroids. Maintenance immunosuppression is based on tacrolimus, mycophenolate and corticosteroids. Temporary anti-infective prophylaxis will be administered. Minimalization of immunosuppression is needed before pregnancy (monotherapy with tacrolimus). Protocol cervix biopsies to look for possible rejection will be performed. Immunosuppression will be discontinued after graft hysterectomy.
Phases of the UTx procedure: in vitro fertilization (IVF phase I) - cryopreservation of embryos - uterus retrieval from a live donor or from a deceased donor - orthotopic uterus transplantation with open technique - follow up period - embryo transfer (IVF phase II) - pregnancy - child birth via Cesarian section - later graft hysterectomy - life long follow up.
Merit: Individual cases of uterus transplantation performed so far showed favourable outcomes. Introduction of UTx into clinical practice may enable women with uterine infertility to have their own children.
