Best Uterine Transplant Hospital in India - Best and First Uterine Transplant Hospital in South India & Chennai

Uterine Transplant

Uterine transplantation is an innovative surgical procedure aimed at enabling women who lack a functional uterus, either due to congenital absence (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome), surgical removal (hysterectomy), or other uterine factors, to carry and give birth to their own children. This complex procedure involves transplanting a healthy uterus from a donor into a recipient. Uterine transplantation represents a groundbreaking advancement in reproductive medicine, offering hope to women who previously had no means of bearing children. Despite the challenges of surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, successful pregnancies and healthy births have been documented, marking significant milestones in the field. Continuous research and clinical trials aim to refine the procedure, enhance success rates, and improve the quality of life for recipients.

Process

  1. Selection and Evaluation:
    • Recipient: The recipient undergoes extensive medical, psychological, and reproductive evaluations to ensure suitability for the transplant. This includes assessing overall health, reproductive potential, and readiness for the rigorous post-operative care.
    • Donor: The donor can be either living or deceased. Living donors are often close relatives, while deceased donors are evaluated based on their health history and uterine condition.
  2. Surgery:
    • Donor Surgery: In living donor cases, the uterus is carefully removed with its associated blood vessels, typically through a minimally invasive technique to reduce recovery time and complications.
    • Recipient Surgery: The recipient's surgery involves creating an appropriate space for the new uterus, followed by connecting the blood vessels, and securing the uterus in place. This highly intricate procedure requires a team of specialized surgeons and can last several hours.
  3. Post-Surgical Care:
    • Recipients receive immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted uterus.
    • Regular monitoring through imaging and biopsies ensures the uterus is functioning correctly and not being rejected.

Rehabilitation

Post-operative rehabilitation focuses on recovery from surgery and adaptation to the immunosuppressive regimen. Key components include:

  • Physical Recovery: Gradual return to daily activities with a focus on wound healing and managing any surgical pain.
  • Medical Follow-Up: Frequent visits to healthcare providers for monitoring of organ function, immunosuppressive therapy adjustments, and overall health assessments.
  • Psychological Support: Counseling to support mental health and adjustment to the new life circumstances.

Post Uterine Transplant Pregnancy

Once the uterus is deemed healthy and stable, the recipient can pursue pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF), as natural conception is usually not feasible due to the nature of the transplant and the need for controlled conditions.

  1. IVF Process:
    • Embryo Transfer: Embryos, typically created from the recipient's eggs (harvested before the transplant) and her partner's sperm, are transferred to the transplanted uterus.
    • Pregnancy Monitoring: Intensive monitoring throughout the pregnancy is essential. This includes frequent ultrasounds and other tests to ensure the health of both mother and fetus.
  2. Delivery:
    • Due to the complexity and potential risks, delivery is generally performed via cesarean section to avoid stress on the transplanted uterus.
    • After the desired number of pregnancies, the uterus may be removed to discontinue immunosuppressive therapy, which poses long-term health risks.

Uterine Transplant Eligibility

Recipient Eligibility

Candidates for uterine transplantation must meet specific criteria to ensure the best chances of success and minimize risks. Key eligibility requirements include:

  1. Medical Criteria:
    • Age: Typically, recipients are between 20 and 40 years old, as younger patients have better overall health and reproductive potential.
    • Absence of Uterus: Candidates must lack a functional uterus due to congenital conditions (e.g., Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome), surgical removal (hysterectomy), or other non-functional uterine conditions.
    • General Health: Good overall health is essential to withstand major surgery and immunosuppressive therapy. This includes a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and metabolic functions.
    • No Significant Comorbidities: Absence of severe chronic illnesses, such as uncontrolled diabetes, severe hypertension, or autoimmune diseases, that could complicate the transplant process and post-operative care.
  2. Reproductive Criteria:
    • Ovarian Function: Functional ovaries capable of producing viable eggs are necessary, as the transplant does not include ovarian tissue.
    • IVF Readiness: Candidates must be willing and able to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve pregnancy.
  3. Psychological Criteria:
    • Mental Health: Stable mental health is crucial, given the psychological stress associated with the transplant process, potential complications, and the demands of pregnancy and motherhood.
    • Support System: A robust support network of family and friends to assist with the emotional and physical demands of the procedure and recovery period.
  4. Commitment:
    • Adherence to Treatment: Willingness to comply with rigorous medical protocols, including immunosuppressive therapy, frequent medical check-ups, and lifestyle adjustments.

Donor Eligibility

Donors can be either living or deceased, and both must meet stringent criteria to ensure the safety and success of the transplantation. Key eligibility requirements for donors include:

  1. Medical Criteria:
    • Age: Living donors are typically between 30 and 50 years old, whereas deceased donors can be slightly younger or older, provided their uterine health is confirmed.
    • Good Uterine Health: A healthy, functional uterus with no history of significant gynecological disorders, such as severe endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or malignancies.
    • Overall Health: Good general health without significant medical conditions that could pose risks during surgery or impact the quality of the uterus.
  2. Reproductive Criteria:
    • Completed Childbearing: Living donors must have completed their families and no longer desire future pregnancies, as donating the uterus renders them infertile.
    • Successful Pregnancies: Ideally, donors have a history of successful pregnancies and live births, indicating proven uterine functionality.
  3. Psychological Criteria:
    • Mental Health: Donors must undergo psychological evaluation to ensure they fully understand and are prepared for the implications of the donation, including potential surgical risks and the emotional aspects of donation.
    • Informed Consent: Willingness to provide informed consent without any form of coercion, ensuring the decision to donate is voluntary and well-considered.
  4. Commitment:
    • Living Donors: Willingness to undergo major surgery and adhere to post-operative care, including follow-up visits and potential lifestyle changes.
    • Deceased Donors: Consent for organ donation provided by the donor prior to death or by the donor’s family, respecting legal and ethical guidelines.

Eligibility for uterine transplantation, both for recipients and donors, involves comprehensive medical, reproductive, and psychological evaluations. These criteria are essential to maximize the likelihood of successful transplantation and pregnancy outcomes, while minimizing health risks for both the donor and the recipient. As research in this field progresses, these criteria may evolve to broaden the pool of eligible candidates and improve overall success rates.

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Conditions Under Which Uterine Transplant is Performed

Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai is a pioneering institution, being the only hospital in South India performing uterine transplants, a highly specialized procedure available at only two hospitals in the entire country. This advanced treatment offers new hope to women with uterine factor infertility, enabling them to conceive and carry their own biological children. With a multidisciplinary team of experts, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to comprehensive care, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai is transforming lives by providing cutting-edge reproductive solutions and advancing medical science in the region.

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