Sweden has welcomed the world’s first child born from a robotically transplanted uterus. Born two weeks early via C-section, the six pounds 13 ounce baby boy is reported to be healthy and doing well. The 35-year-old mom and the uterus donor (a relative) are also said to be well.
The transplant was done in October of 2021 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Pernilla Dahm-Kahler, adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, was the principal surgeon in the delicate procedure.
She and her colleague, Dr. Niclas Kvarnstrom, started by inserting cameras and robotic arms through small keyholes in the donor’s lower abdomen. Those arms were controlled by tools that resembled joysticks. With the aid of their 3D cameras, they took a step-by-step approach. Once the uterus was freed, they detached it from its blood vessels and vaginally removed it using a laparoscopic pouch.
The recipient had a small incision made in her pelvis area. This is where the uterus was inserted. The robot arms sutured the organ to the recipient’s blood vessels and then to the vagina and other supportive tissues. Neither donor or recipient had to be opened up.
“With robot-assisted keyhole surgery, we can carry out ultra-fine precision surgery,” Kahler said.
“The technique gives very good access to operate deep down into the pelvis. This is the surgery of the future, and we’re proud and glad to have been able to develop uterine transplantations to this minimally invasive technical level.”
“With the robot-assisted technique procedures can be done that were previously considered impossible to perform with standard keyhole surgery,” said Kvarnstrom. “It is a privilege to be part of the evolution in this field with the overall goal to minimize the trauma to the patient caused by the surgery.”
Ten months after the transplant, the mother had an embryo created through IVF. A few weeks later, the pregnancy was confirmed. Her pregnancy went well and was concluded via C-section at the end of May 2023.
The work was headed by Mats Brannstrom, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.
“This is the 14th baby born in the uterus transplantation project at Sahlgrenska Academy, and more births are awaited this summer,” he said. “The research project continuously evaluates numerous variables in donors, recipients, and children after the uterus transplantation, following up the operation for several years afterward. All this is done to maximize the efficacy of the operation and minimize side effects in the patients.”
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