In a world first, a baby boy was born in a womb that had been implanted in his mother by a robot.
The boy, whose name will not be released, weighed six pounds and 13 ounces when he was born via planned caesarean section in Sweden last month. Both the child and his 35-year-old mother are doing well.
The pregnancy became possible when a family member agreed to donate her womb to the mother, who then received a fertilized egg through IVF. The case marks the first time robots have been used for the procedure.
It will bring hope to the tens of thousands of American women who have no uterus – which may be due to cancer or disease – or whose uterus is unable to bear children.
Surgeons used robots to perform the operation in Sweden, which are less invasive and reduce the risk of infection
The case was uncovered by surgeons from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, a leading uterus transplant company.
During the operation, the researchers first removed the donor’s uterus by gradually severing it from the blood vessels and pulling it out through the vagina.
In the second patient, small incisions were made on the side of the pelvis into which the uterus was implanted. It was connected to her blood vessels and vagina.
Surgeons inserted cameras and robotic arms with surgical tools through small entry holes in the lower abdomen to perform the procedure – the robotic arms being the first for this type of surgery.
The arms were controlled via joysticks, while the surgeons could simultaneously view 3D images of the patient’s interior via consoles.
This method is less invasive than standard uterine transplantation, which involves opening larger openings in the patient.
It is also believed to reduce the risk of infection and bleeding, allowing patients to return to their daily lives more quickly.
The transplant took place in October 2021 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Ten months later, an embryo was created via IVF that was placed in the transplanted uterus, and a few weeks later the pregnancy was confirmed.
dr Pernilla Dahm-Kähler said they are capable of performing ultra-fine operations using robots. dr Niclas Kvarnström added: “The robotic technique can perform procedures that were previously considered impossible with standard keyhole surgery.”
The mother-to-be has been comfortable throughout her pregnancy and has now ended with a planned cesarean section at week 38 at the end of May 2023.
Pernilla Dahm-Kähler, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, was the lead surgeon on the recipient’s complex operation.
She said, “With robotic keyhole surgery, we can perform ultra-fine, precision surgery.”
“The technique allows very good access to operate deep in the pelvis. This is the surgery of the future and we are proud and happy that we were able to develop uterine transplants at this minimally invasive level of technology.”
dr Niclas Kvarnström, the transplant surgeon who performed the intricate blood vessel suturing on the recipient, added: “Robotic technology can perform procedures previously thought impossible with standard keyhole surgery.”
“It is a privilege to be part of the development in this field, with the overarching goal of minimizing trauma to the patient caused by surgery.”
The work is being led by Mats Brännström, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Gynecologist and Senior Consultant at the University Hospital.
He said: “This is the 14th baby born as part of the uterine transplant project at Sahlgrenska Academy and more births are expected this summer.”
“The research project continuously evaluates numerous variables in donors, recipients and children after uterine transplantation and follows the operation for several years afterwards.”
“All of this is done to maximize the effectiveness of the surgery and minimize side effects for patients.”
About one in 5,000 women in the United States is born with a genetic condition that means she doesn’t have a uterus.
Women can also have a uterus that is structurally unable to hold a developing fetus. It may also need to be removed because of conditions such as uterine cancer, which affects about 3,300 women under the age of 40 each year.
Since 2014, uterine transplants have been possible for women, but without the use of robotic arms.
A total of 33 have been performed in the US so far, most of them at the Baylor University Medical Center in Texas.
An estimated 90 uterine transplants have been performed worldwide and about 50 babies have been born.
Past patients have included mother-of-five Aprill Lane, who at age 39 donated her own uterus so another woman could have children.
The research group has further disseminated the methods and techniques through direct knowledge transfer to several centers worldwide.
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