Uterus transplantation: from pioneering research to clinical reality
From the first successful uterus transplant in 2012 to the world's first birth following a fully robot-assisted uterus transplantation in 2023, Sahlgrenska University Hospital has played a leading role in transforming uterus transplantation from a research project into a clinical reality. Today, the programme continues to shape the future of reproductive medicine and create new possibilities for women without a uterus.
The foundations were laid in 1999, when a team of researchers and clinicians launched what later became known as the Uterus Transplantation Project. Their ambition was to determine whether a transplanted uterus could support a successful pregnancy and childbirth.
Years of research culminated in a breakthrough in 2012, when the team carried out the world's first uterus transplantation from a living donor. In 2014, they went on to make medical history with the birth of the world's first baby born following a uterus transplant.
In 2021, Sahlgrenska took another major step forward by introducing robot-assisted surgery to the procedure, becoming the first hospital in the world to perform a uterus transplantation using robot-assisted surgery on both the donor and recipient. This marked an important step towards less invasive surgery and faster recovery for patients. In 2023, the birth of the world's first child following a fully robot-assisted uterus transplantation demonstrated the success of this innovation.
Today, approximately 120 uterus transplantations have been performed worldwide, resulting in more than 60 births, including 17 in Sweden. Much of the surgical knowledge, clinical evidence and treatment protocols underpinning the field originate from the pioneering work carried out by the project team at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the University of Gothenburg.
"The research project continuously evaluates numerous variables in donors, recipients and children following uterus transplantation, with follow-up extending over several years. This enables us to maximise the effectiveness of the procedure while minimising side effects for patients," says Mats Brännström, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and Consultant Gynaecologist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, who led the pioneering programme.
Uterus transplantation remains an active area of research and clinical development at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Long-term follow-up of donors, recipients and children continues to generate new knowledge, helping to improve outcomes and bringing hope to families worldwide.