First Successful Womb Transplant Conducted in the UK

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons in the United Kingdom have successfully conducted the first womb transplant on a 34-year-old woman.

The recipient’s sister served as the living donor for the procedure, a milestone that offers hope to women with rare congenital reproductive disorders.

The recipient, who hails from England and has chosen to remain anonymous, underwent a nine-hour transplant procedure at Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

The surgery involved transplanting a donor womb from her 40-year-old sister, who had already given birth to two children.

The woman was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, a rare congenital reproductive disorder that affects approximately one in 5,000 women. This syndrome results in an underdeveloped vagina and/or a missing womb. Due to her condition, the woman’s original womb was not fully developed, making her unable to conceive naturally.

Co-lead surgeon Isabel Quiroga, a consultant surgeon at the Oxford Transplant Centre (part of Oxford University Hospitals), expressed her excitement and pride in the success of the surgery. She noted that the surgery’s success offered new possibilities for women with similar conditions.

The recipient’s sister, who selflessly donated her womb, enabled her sibling to have a chance at experiencing pregnancy and childbirth. The surgery took place in February and lasted for nine hours and 20 minutes. Following the procedure, the recipient spent 10 days in the hospital and was discharged in good health.

The achievement marks a significant advancement in the field of reproductive medicine. It provides hope and a potential solution for women who have congenital reproductive disorders, offering them the possibility of experiencing pregnancy and motherhood despite their medical conditions. The success of this pioneering surgery opens doors to new opportunities for women facing reproductive challenges.