Clinic performs the first-ever uterus transplant in the U.S.

Cleveland clinic performs first uterus transplant.

(Image credit: iStock)

published 26 February 2016

Surgeons at Cleveland Clinic successfully completed a uterus transplant Wednesday, marking the first time the procedure has ever been performed in the U.S. The operation, which took nine hours, was performed on a 26-year-old woman using a uterus from a deceased organ donor. The patient hopes to become pregnant and give birth, though she will have to wait a year before she can try and will need to use in vitro fertilization.

Previous to the experimental surgery in Cleveland, uterus transplants had only been performed successfully in Sweden. At least four of Sweden's nine transplant recipients have had healthy babies.