Evolving clinical challenges in uterus transplantation

Before the first live birth following uterus transplantation (UTx) in 2014, the 1-2% of women with an absent or non-functional uterus had no hope of childbearing. With 64 cases of UTx and 34 births reported in the scientific literature, this emerging technology has the potential for translation into mainstream clinical practice. However, limitations currently include donor availability, recipient suitability, surgical challenges regarding success and complications, and recipient management after UTx and during pregnancy. This review considers these challenges and ways to overcome them so that UTx could become part of the reproductive specialist's armamentarium when counselling patients with uterine factor infertility.

Automated summary

Uterus transplantation has the potential to provide hope for women with an absent or non-functional uterus, but there are currently limitations in terms of donor availability, recipient suitability, surgical challenges, and management during pregnancy.