UK criteria for uterus transplantation: a review

Absolute uterine factor infertility is the final hurdle for assisted reproductive treatments. Uterus transplant trials are happening worldwide; to advance the debate around uterine transplantation (UTx), this article considers selection criteria for clinical trials from a UK perspective and makes recommendations for future selection criteria for UTx treatment. Recommendations advanced include the use of donor eggs, access for single women and women in same‐sex relationships, prohibiting participation of women who are already mothers, and a preference for deceased donors and bioengineered uteri. With UTx treatment on the horizon, it is important to proactively consider future selection criteria

Contribuição da biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto na avaliação de pneumopatias difusas e agudas em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica

Introdução: Os dados clínico-laboratoriais convencionais raramente fornecem o diagnóstico em pneumopatias difusas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o papel da biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto no que se refere ao seu potencial diagnóstico, ao impacto dos resultados sobre a conduta clínica e à incidência de complicações do procedimento. Material e métodos: No período de janeiro/1987 a janeiro/1997, 29 biópsias pulmonares foram realizadas em crianças com pneumopatias difusas, em insuficiência respiratória aguda, sem etiologia e sem resposta à terapêutica empírica prévia. Foram excluídos os recém-nascidos, crianças com pneumopatias crônicas prévias e crianças com coagulopatia ou choque intratáveis. Todas as biópsias foram realizadas através de microtoracotomia no pulmão mais acometido ao exame radiológico. O fragmento de tecido pulmonar foi analisado por meio de culturas e de exames de microscopia ótica, eletrônica e imunofluorescência. Resultados: O processamento do material da biópsia forneceu pelo menos um diagnóstico histopatológico em todas as crianças estudadas (100%) e em 20 (68,9%) obteve-se um diagnóstico etiológico. Os principais diagnósticos histopatológicos foram: pneumonite intersticial não específica com fibrose variável em 18 casos; bronquiolite em oito casos e hipertensão pulmonar em três casos. Nos diagnósticos etiológicos, os principais agentes foram: citomegalovírus em seis crianças; Pneumocystis carinii em três; adenovírus em três e infecção pelo vírus respiratório sincicial em três casos. Os resultados geraram mudanças no tratamento em 20 casos (68,9%). As principais alterações de conduta foram a introdução de corticoterapia em 14 pacientes e a revisão da antibioticoterapia em seis. Sete casos (24,1%) apresentaram complicações, que foram resolvidas, e nenhum óbito foi relacionado ao procedimento. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto é um procedimento que, mesmo invasivo, deve ser considerado na avaliação de crianças com pneumopatias difusas graves, sem etiologia definida, sem resposta à terapêutica previamente instituída e em insuficiência respiratória.<br>Introduction: The diagnosis of diffuse lung disease is still a challenge for the pediatric intensive care physician. Routine clinical examinations and laboratory tests are frequently negative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential, the impact on therapy and the rate of complications of open lung biopsy in children with undiagnosed diffuse lung disease, respiratory failure and inappropriate response to initial therapy. Methods: From January 1987 to January 1997, 29 children with diffuse pulmonary disease of unknown etiology, respiratory failure (PaO2/FiO2 < 300) and no response to previous treatments were considered for open lung biopsy. Newborns, children with known chronic pulmonary disease and children with untreatable shock or coagulopathy were excluded. All biopsies were performed by a thoracic surgeon by a microthoracotomy in the lung shown to be the most affected by X-ray examination. Tissue samples were analyzed in terms of cultures, light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy, according to the pathologist's decision. Results: All biopsies (100%) resulted in at least one histological diagnosis and in 20 patients (68.9%) it was obtained a specific diagnosis. The most frequent histological patterns found were: non-specific interstitial pneumonitis with variable degrees of fibrosis in 18 cases; bronchiolitis in eight cases and pulmonary hypertension in three cases. Regarding the most frequent specific diagnosis, six children were found with cytomegalovirus infection, three with Pneumocystis carinii, three with adenovirus and three with respiratory syncytial virus infection. These data induced a change in therapy in 20 children (68.9%). The most frequent changes in therapy were the use of corticosteroids in 14 children and a review of the antibiotic regimen in six patients. Seven patients (24.1%) presented with complications that were easily resolved. There were 13 deaths, probably due to the critical conditions of these patients, all unrelated to the procedure. Conclusions: Open lung biopsy, though an invasive procedure, should be considered in the evaluation of selected children with undiagnosed diffuse lung disease, respiratory failure and with no satisfactory response to previous therapies

Back-Table Preparation and Flushing of the Uterus

A critical part of the uterus transplantation procedure, both in live donor and in deceased donor uterus transplantation, is the technique used and the decisions taken during flushing and evaluation during back-table preparation. This chapter provides details on preparation of the back-table as well as on the procedures to provide cold ischemia and to prepare the uterine graft for transplantation. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

P-573 Women's age is the best success predictor in a cohort of poor responders: A retrospective analysis according to POSEIDON criteria

Abstract Study question Are there differences between patients classified according to the Poseidon criteria regarding IVF sucess rates? Summary answer POSEIDON groups differ from each other. Woman's age, more than the ovarian reserve, is the main factor of poor prognosis in IVF cycles. What is known already Poor ovarian response to stimulation in an IVF cycle has an estimated incidence of 9-24%. The criteria used to characterize this group of patients are heterogeneous, making it difficult to address risk factors, to determine prognosis and to propose novel treatment options. The most used diagnostic criteria are the Bologna criteria and more recently the Poseidon classification. Study design, size, duration An observational, retrospective cohort study, based on 558 ART cycles performed between 2015 and 2018 at a single center in Brazil. Participants/materials, setting, methods Group division was acording to POSEIDON criteria: groups 1A (n = 15), 1B (n = 19), 2A(n = 48), 2B (n = 59), 3 (n = 17) and 4 (n = 50). Two control groups were stablished for comparison purposes: C1 with no previous poor response, normal ovarian reserve and women's age &amp;lt; 35 years (n = 157) and C2 with women's age ≥ 35 years (n = 193). Data was obteined from clinical records and analyzed with SPSS program. Main results and the role of chance Groups 3, 4 and 2A of Poseidon had less oocytes recovered (p &amp;lt; 0,001). Group 4 formed fewer embryos (p = 0,001). A previous history of poor response in younger patients wasnt't found to translate in a poor response in a second cycle, since there was no difference between groups 1A and 1B compared to group C1 regarding number of oocytes retrieved. Groups 1B and C1 had a higher clinical pregnancy rate (p = 0,028) and groups 2 and 4 had lower pregnancy rates per started cycle (p &amp;lt; 0,001). Limitations, reasons for caution Retrospective and observational study. Wider implications of the findings The findings of this study play a role in improving patients counselling. The results are encouraging for young women with normal reserve and a previous bad response, since they weren't found to have poor outcomes in a new cycle. Woman's age should be the main criteria to determine patient prognosis. Trial registration number not applicable </jats:sec

Uterine transplantation: a systematic review

Up to 15% of the reproductive population is infertile, and 3 to 5% of these cases are caused by uterine dysfunction. This abnormality generally leads women to consider surrogacy or adoption. Uterine transplantation, although still experimental, may be an option in these cases. This systematic review will outline the recommendations, surgical aspects, immunosuppressive drugs and reproductive aspects related to experimental uterine transplantation in women

Obstetrical and Pediatric Follow-Up After Uterus Transplantation

The ultimate goal of uterus transplantation is a successful pregnancy, with birth of a healthy baby. This has been accomplished repeatedly after live donor uterus transplantation and up until mid-2019, two times after deceased donor uterus transplantation. Pregnancy is established by embryo transfer in either natural cycle or hormone replacement cycle. After confirmation of viable pregnancy, by transvaginal ultrasound at around gestational week 7, the obstetrician/feto-maternal specialist takes over the responsibility of the medical controls of pregnancy. In the Swedish program, the pregnant woman, with a uterine allograft, is typically seen every second week from gestational week 8 until week 34. Starting from gestational week 35, these visits are weekly until delivery. The patient is seen for laboratory tests, by a midwife for routine controls and by an obstetrician for more specialized investigations including ultrasound. We recommend elective delivery from gestational week 37, although we are aware that deliveries were planned from week 35 regarding the first deliveries of the original Swedish study. Cesarean section is the preferred mode of delivery and so far there are no reports of any spontaneous vaginal deliveries. The four live births after uterus transplantation, that so far have been published, are reviewed in detail in the article. Children born after uterus transplantation should be followed up for many years concerning developmental parameters. Tests that are used in the Swedish studies are outlined in the chapter. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Sheep Model for Uterine Transplantation: The Best Option Before Starting a Human Program

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the first four cases of a uterine transplant procedure conducted in sheep in Latin America. The aim of this study was to evaluate the success of uterine transplantation in sheep. METHOD: The study was conducted at Laboratory of Medical Investigation 37 (LIM 37) at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine. Four healthy mature ewes weighing 40-60 kg were used as both the donor and recipient for a transplant within the same animal (auto-transplant). Institutional guidelines for the care of experimental animals were followed. RESULTS: The first two cases of auto-transplant were performed to standardize the technique. After complete uterine mobilization and isolation of the blood supply, the unilateral vascular pedicle was sectioned and anastomosed on the external iliac vessels. After standardization, the protocol was implemented. Procurement surgery was performed without complications or bleeding. After isolation of uterine arteries and veins as well as full mobilization of the uterus, ligation of the distal portion of the internal iliac vessels was performed with subsequent division and end-to-side anastomosis of the external iliac vessels. After vaginal anastomosis, the final case presented with arterial thrombosis in the left uterine artery. The left uterine artery anastomosis was re-opened and flushed with saline solution to remove the clot from the artery lumen. Anastomosis was repeated with restoration of blood flow for a few minutes before another uterine artery thrombosis appeared on the same side. All four animals were alive after the surgical procedure and were euthanized after the experimental period. CONCLUSION: We describe the success of four uterine auto-transplants in sheep models