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Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 4/2017

01-04-2017 | Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine

Operative techniques and complications of extraction and transplantation of ovarian tissue: the Erlangen experience

Authors: Matthia W. Beckmann, Ralf Dittrich, Laura Lotz, Patricia G. Oppelt, Sebastian Findeklee, Thomas Hildebrandt, Katharina Heusinger, Susanne Cupisti, Andreas Müller

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

Extracting ovarian tissue before oncologic therapy and transplanting it afterwards are increasingly being used to preserve fertility in women. This study describes standardized and safe operative procedures, with few complications, and reports the resulting ovarian function and pregnancy rates.

Methods

The standardized operative techniques for removing and transplanting ovarian tissue used at the Erlangen center are: for tissue removal, one-third to half of the tissue from one ovary is excised with scissors, without tissue coagulation; for subsequent transplantation, pieces of ovarian tissue are placed in a retroperitoneal pocket without closure of the pocket.

Results

Between January 2007 and December 2015, ovarian tissue was extracted in 399 women and transplanted following cancer therapy in 38. No surgical complications were observed within 28 days. To date, there have been ten pregnancies and nine live births after transplantation in seven different women; 26 of the 38 women developed hormonal activity, confirmed by a menstrual cycle or raised serum estradiol levels.

Conclusions

The techniques for laparoscopic removal and transplantation of ovarian tissue described here provide a standardized method with a very low risk of complications. The pregnancy rate after ovarian tissue transplantation, currently 15–30%, can be expected to rise further in the near future.
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Metadata
Title
Operative techniques and complications of extraction and transplantation of ovarian tissue: the Erlangen experience
Authors
Matthia W. Beckmann
Ralf Dittrich
Laura Lotz
Patricia G. Oppelt
Sebastian Findeklee
Thomas Hildebrandt
Katharina Heusinger
Susanne Cupisti
Andreas Müller
Publication date
01-04-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4311-2

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