During a procedure that lasted nine hours at the Cleveland Clinic, 26-year-old Lindsey McFarland became the first patient in the United States to receive a transplanted uterus, but a few days later, the new uterus had to be removed.
Now, Cleveland Clinic doctors are explaining the reason the uterus transplant failed is because of a fungus that caused a common yeast infection, according to CNN. Surgeon Dr. Andreas Tzakis said Ms. McFarland developed a fever later in the day of the surgery, which was a surprise to the physicians, and the doctors were monitoring her very closely.
The cause, according to Dr. Tzakis, was an infection with a fungus, candida albicas, which is common in the body, particularly in female organs. It cause little problems to most people, but some one with a compromised immune system can become infected. He added the infection compromised the newly transplanted uterus’ blood supply.
The facility in the US was the first to attempt a uterus transplant in this country, but Swedish doctors have done the transplants using live donors in nine cases since 2012. The Cleveland Clinic donor was deceased. Five of the Swedish patients have gone on to have successful live births, but one uterus had to be removed due to a bacterial infection.
Dr. Tzakis said the hospital has put their clinical trial on hold as they investigate the surgery procedures and try to determine if changes to their protocol, including the use of antifungal medications, could help prevent the same thing from happening when they resume the trial.
Ms. McFarland, who is a mother of three adopted boys, is doing well, according to Dr. Tzakis, who adds, she “is a wonderful young lady, with a very powerful personality, an excellent family and able to handle this extremely well. She is a pioneer and her heart is all in.”
In addition to the Cleveland Clinic, Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston are approved by the United Network for Organ Sharing to perform uterus transplants and both facilities have clinical trials planned.