Currently, medicine has taken a few steps forward. People have learned to transplant organs for further successful human life. They say a lot about transplantation. But what about the uterus transplant? Is it possible to do this? This will be discussed in this article.
What is it for?
Uterus transplantation is one way to fight infertility. In this case, we are talking about surgical intervention. During the operation, the donor uterus is transplanted into the body of a woman in whom this organ has pathologies. In case of problems with it, the patient, as a rule, experiences some difficulties and cannot become pregnant.
Currently, uterine transplantation is considered as an alternative to surrogacy. Such surgical interventions allow women to endure and give birth to a healthy baby.
What could be infertility?
Such an ailment can develop due to obstruction of the fallopian tubes, as well as genetic abnormalities.
In addition, one of the causes of infertility is ovarian failure. Even the absence of some reproductive organs is considered the source of the disease in question.
Uterus transplant surgery helps solve a number of these problems. This method gives a chance of a successful pregnancy.
What is the complexity of the operation?
Uterus transplantation refers to a new type of surgical intervention. This is explained by the fact that the new organ should not only take root, but also it will serve to carry the baby. The complexity of this method is that it requires immunosuppressive therapy after surgery. The latter, in turn, prevents conception. Because of this, a peculiar dissonance develops.
In addition, the uterus is not so easy to remove. This process is dangerous for the donor. The body is in a remote place. In addition, he has many blood vessels. And this increases the likelihood of bleeding.
After a well-conducted surgery, the fair sex will experience a stressful situation. Hormonal fluctuations appear, menstruation begins. It all depends on whether the woman’s body will accept a new organ or simply reject it.
Those who decide to conduct such an operation should compare the disadvantages and advantages. Since this method is very complicated. For this reason, dangerous complications are possible.
How is the procedure going?
Uterine transplantation begins with surgery, which is the extraction of the necessary organ from the donor. A similar method has been tested on animals. There are situations when the uterus needs to be saved. For example, in some cases, transportation is necessary. It should be noted that ischemic tolerance in this case is equal to more than 23 hours.
The patient should consider that she will have to undergo 3 types of surgical interventions. After she carries the baby, she will have a cesarean section. As soon as the woman gives birth, they will undergo a hysterectomy. This is done in order to complete the immunosuppressive therapy.
Who can be a donor?
Anyone can become a person who gives his organ. But, for example, in Sweden, the donors were the relatives of the patients. According to experts, this helps to reduce the risk of rejection.
In America, it is believed that a living person cannot be taken as a donor. Since an operation of this type poses a danger to his life. Therefore, they take those donors who have recorded brain death, and the heart still continues to work. But, despite this kind of reasoning, in the United States there was only one uterus transplant operation from a living donor. And to carry out surgical intervention in a way that they considered more acceptable, did not work. Since an infection developed in these organs.
In Saudi Arabia, a uterus transplant method is only considered from a living person. As a donor, as a rule, they take a relative.
How does conception occur after surgery?
Immediately after the operation, of course, this does not happen. Initially, the transplanted uterus is monitored. This period is about a year. In addition, certain doses of immunosuppressants are selected. They help reduce the risk of rejection. In the case when the organ takes root, after a while menstruation begins.
But even in this case, the eggs cannot enter the uterine cavity. This is explained by the fact that there is no connection of the fallopian tube with this organ . Thus, conception can only occur via the extracorporeal route. In this case, we are talking about artificial insemination.
The eggs of the fair sex are taken before the uterus is transplanted. They are stored in a frozen state.
Embryos in a transplanted organ take root very difficult. Therefore, several attempts are required.
How does childbirth occur and how does a pregnancy proceed with a transplanted organ?
Not always everything goes smoothly. It is noted that abortion occurs for a period of about five weeks. During this period, the risk of developing a serious complication increases, in which there is a significant increase in blood pressure. Experts suggest that this is due to the use of medications that help reduce immunity. Although no proven facts exist. But, despite this, a woman takes immunosuppressive drugs all the time. Otherwise, there may be organ rejection.
As mentioned above, a child is born using cesarean section. The question of how to make the process of natural conception and birth of a fetus possible in the future is considered. In this case, scientists are exploring the possibility of a uterus transplant along with the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
After a woman gives birth to one or two children, the organ will need to be removed. Because throughout this period, the patient takes immunosuppressive drugs. And they, in turn, do not quite positively affect her body.
Uterus transplant: the cost of a similar procedure
Great experience in conducting such operations in no country. For this reason, this method is considered exceptional. The cost of this procedure is uncertain. Prices range from 60 to 200 thousand dollars.
An interesting question is the uterus transplant in Russia and the cost of such an operation here. Unfortunately, in our country this method of surgical intervention is not carried out.
Therefore, the answer to the question of whether a uterus transplant is done in Russia will be negative. You can often hear that experts have not yet begun to develop it. Therefore, a similar problem will have to turn to specialists from foreign countries.
This year in the UK, about a dozen women will receive donated uterus.
In Sweden, this method is more developed. Here are waiting for the birth of several babies who were born in transplanted uterus. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are interested in these issues.
Be that as it may, medicine develops and does not stand still. This kind of operation costs fabulous money. Perhaps after a deeper study of this method and carrying out procedures in other countries, prices will become lower. At the moment, the operation is not available in Russian clinics.