First Australian undergoes uterus transplant

Rebecca Robb, a volunteer writer for BioNews reports that the first Australian uterus transplant has been performed on Kirsty Bryant, from New South Wales, who received a donated uterus from her mother, Michelle Hayton.

Bryant's surgery marks the first of twelve to be conducted as part of a Sydney research trial (see BioNews 1159), led by gynaecologist Dr Rebecca Deans at the Royal Hospital for Women and the Sydney Children's Hospital.

The two surgeries were conducted in January 2023, lasting over 16 hours and involving over 20 medical professionals. While the surgeries themselves were dubbed a success, with Bryant reporting that her period returned little more than a month after the surgery, the recovery process was tumultuous. Bryant required blood transfusions on the day after surgery due to serious blood loss, while Hayton still cannot feel any sensation in her bladder.

Nevertheless, neither Bryant nor Hayton has any regrets. The next step in the process is to determine whether Bryant's new uterus can successfully support a baby. With six embryos in storage, Bryant is hopeful that an embryo transfer might soon be possible. Even without the promise of pregnancy, however, Bryant remains optimistic, citing the scientific developments such a trial provides as a worthwhile outcome.

The trial will continue as Bryant prepares for pregnancy, with plans in place for another eleven procedures. Five of the remaining transplants will come from live donors, as was the case with Bryant and Hayton, the other six will be harvested from deceased donors.

The trial also aspires to include a range of participants, such as women who, like Bryant, have had their uterus medically removed, as well as women who were born without a uterus. This condition, known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, is congenital and occurs in one in 5000 females.

Research trials, such as this, could pave the way for providing people with MRKH syndrome an opportunity to experience biological pregnancy.

ABC News has the full story.