CLINICAL RESEARCH. Coworkers at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital and University of Gothenburg have successfully conducted uterus transplants. The Hospital Board of Directors proposes that the treatment should be part of health care provision. The final decision is expected to be taken in the autumn of Healthcare Board of the region.
Coworkers at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital are alone in the world to successfully having performed uterus transplants.
– Nine performed transplants have resulted in the birth of four healthy babies. This thanks to a successful research project, led by Professor Mats Brännström, and a good collaboration between the Hospital and Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, says Lars Grip, R & E Director at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
The treatment, combined with assisted reproduction, is currently the only option for women who are infertile due to uterus infertility. The only option to this treatment is surrogacy, which is not allowed in Sweden.
– Today there is a great demand for the new treatment and we have proved that we have the expertise and capacity in the hospital needed to perform uterus transplants, says Lars Grip, adding:
– But we must not forget that it is a complicated treatment. It also raises ethical issues, such as the relationship between the medical risks and patient benefits, and which resources can be made available for treatment in relation to other activities at the hospital.
The Hospital Board has therefore agreed to propose to the Health Care Board, the HSS, that uterus transplant can be an alternative to assisted reproduction and inclusion in the general supply of care. This means that uterus transplant mighgt be offered at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital for patients from the Västra Götaland region and from other parts of the country, as well as from other countries.
In what scale the hospital in the future may offer this treatment depends on several factors. One such example is the demand for other treatments that compete for the same resources – it is simply about making medical priorities, which occurs for all diagnoses and treatments. Another factor is that the benefits and the cost will be measured and compared with the hospital’s other care supply within the hospital’s budget.
– From a medical point of view, we can admit patients right away. Before it becomes a reality, however, a political decision is needed. We now let the political process take its course, says Lars Grip.
TEXT: PRESS STAFF // SAHLGRNSKA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
