An ordinary boy who loves sports. This is how ten-year-old Vincent introduced himself when he spoke to leading international uterus transplantation researchers in Gothenburg. Vincent was the first baby to be born from a transplanted uterus.
The world's first birth following a uterus transplantation took place on September 4, 2014, as part of a research project at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. The mother gave birth at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, and the baby boy was named Vincent.
Ten years later, he gave the keynote speech in English to uterus transplantation experts from six continents, who had gathered for a scientific conference in Gothenburg beginning on Thursday. Vincent's inclusion as a speaker was a welcome surprise, and drew a round of applause.
"I am a regular boy who loves sports, especially golf. My favorite subject in school is Art. When I grow up, I want to be a golf pro, he says from the stage. My mom and dad are here with me today, and I know they and the Swedish team and doctors are very proud of me. I am very happy that I am here because of all the brave people in this room."
Surgical techniques and wellbeing
Following Vincent's birth in 2014, six more babies were born within the same research project before a mother outside Sweden gave birth after a uterus transplantation. Today, the number of transplants performed worldwide has been estimated at around 120, and just over 60 children have been born - including 17 in Sweden.
Alongside refined surgical techniques - a key area when accumulating expertise - there is also a focus on the wellbeing of donors, recipients, partners and children. The research project at the University of Gothenburg monitors medical, psychological, and quality-of-life parameters of the study participants over a number of years. In the case of the children, this period lasts until adulthood.
In terms of the actual operations, there has been a trend away from open surgery toward robot-assisted keyhole surgery, especially for donors, who have often been the mothers or close relatives of the female study participants receiving transplants within the project.
Many years of research
Mats Brännström is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy, a gynecologist and consultant at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and one of the lead researchers.
"Safe surgery and a quick recovery with the possibility to return to work and normal life are important for donors, who undergo extensive surgery to help another woman," he explains. "Looking ahead, we can expect donors not to be close relatives, but perhaps people who donate through altruistic, anonymous donation."
Another leading member of the team behind the uterus transplantations in Gothenburg is Pernilla Dahm-Kähler, Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy, and a gynecologist and consultant at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
"Previously, there was no way to help women to be able to give birth if they were born without a uterus or after surgical removal of uterus because of cancer or life-threathening bleeding," she says. "However, that has now changed thanks to years of intensive, successful research. We now have reliable data that we can take forward in our further research and in future healthcare applications."
About the project: Research on uterus transplant
About the conference: 4th ISUTx State-of-the-art Meeting September 5-6, 2024
