Uterus transplantation in a sheep model: Novel surgical technique with long-term survival and uterus vitality. first case series in Argentina

Objective: To develop a sheep autologous uterus transplantation (UT) program with an innovative surgical technique and assess long term uterus vitality and animal survival. Methods: A novel surgical technique consisting of the procurement of the complete uterus and the two ovaries, back table vascular reconstruction, and subsequent implantation in the same animal, performing only two arterial and two venous anastomoses. Results: Four autologous transplantations were performed; anesthesia and surgery were well tolerated by all the animals without complications. Direct observation and Doppler US performed a week after UT and laparoscopy performed three months later confirmed uterus vitality. All animals were alive more than a year after transplantation. Conclusions: Our study was the first to describe a novel surgical technique for sheep uterus autologous transplantation in Latin America, showing long-term survival and uterus vitality.Fil: Maraschio, Martín A. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program; ArgentinaFil: Larcher, José M Sad. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; ArgentinaFil: Alcaraz, Alvaro. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program; ArgentinaFil: Giordano, Enzo. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program; ArgentinaFil: Reimondez, Santiago. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program; ArgentinaFil: Luján, Oscar. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Department of Animal Clinic; ArgentinaFil: Iraci, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Department of Surgical Pathologies; ArgentinaFil: Sereno, José L. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Hospital Escuela of the Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary; ArgentinaFil: Priotto, Analía. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Department of Anesthesiology; ArgentinaFil: Domínguez, Olga. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program; ArgentinaFil: Valle, Pablo. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology; ArgentinaFil: Abrego, Maximiliano. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; ArgentinaFil: Rubio, Soledad. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; ArgentinaFil: Lamberto, Cristian. Sanagec Clinic. Imaging Department; ArgentinaFil: Villada, Eduardo. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Veterinary Hospital; Argentin