In Britain, will start operations on a uterus transplant – BBC Russian

Image copyright PA

British doctors received permission for the first 10 operations to transplant the uterus. This became possible after the successful experience of such transplants in Sweden.

British Board of Medical Ethics gave permission to transplant the uterus in clinical trials, which will begin in the spring.

If the test is successful, the first a child born of a woman transplanted from a donor uterus may see the light at the end of 2017 or in 2018.

More than 100 women have been selected as potential recipients of donor uterus.

Operations will hold a team of doctors led by Richard Smith, a consultant gynecologist London Hospitals Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea, known in the world for its advanced center for gynecology and obstetrics.

According to him, infertility can result in tragedy for many families, but transplantation uterus gives hope to those for whom the only way out is still a surrogate mother or foster children.

Image caption When a donor uterus will no longer be needed, surgeons can remove it – in this case a woman does not need to take immunosuppressant drugs for life

About one in 5,000 women born without a uterus. In addition, some women it must be removed as a result of cancer.

What is the procedure?

• The operation takes about six hours, the organ comes from a deceased donor whose heart is still working.
• The recipient has to take immunosuppressant drugs after surgery and during pregnancy to prevent rejection of a transplanted uterus.
• When a donor uterus will no longer be needed, surgeons can remove it. In this case, the woman will not have to take immunosuppressant drugs for life.
• The estimated cost of the operation in the UK – about 40 thousand pounds (61,000 dollars).

“Hope for many families”

In an interview with BBC BBC Dr. Smith said that the uterus will be taken for transplant donors with “brain dead” but “living heart”.

“Many women have an innate desire to bear a child. This procedure has the potential to satisfy their desire,” – said Richard Smith.

Dr Smith is working on it Project for 19 years.

“For all these years to the project, we experienced many crisis moments … But when you meet women born without a uterus or those whose uterus has been removed for one reason or another, This harrowing experience, and that’s what gave us the strength to continue, “- said Dr. Smith.

” There is no doubt that for many couples infertility – it’s a disaster, “- he added.