Successfully transplanted artificial vagina for women

Scientists have successfully cultured the vagina in the laboratory and transplanted them for 4 teenage female patients.

According to researchers from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest Medical Center (USA), four teenage female patients have successfully implanted artificial vaginas that grow from their own cells. At the time of surgery from June 2005 to October 2008, patients were between the ages of 13 and 18.

The entire yearly follow-up data, up to 8 years after surgery shows that the artificial genitals work normally. Writing in The Lancet, Dr. Anthony Atala, head of the project, stated: "This trial study is the first to show that the vagina can be grown in a laboratory and used in people".

Magnetic resonance imaging shows artificial vagina inside the patient's body.(Photo: CNN)

The team used muscle and epithelial cells (cells lining the body's chambers) obtained from a small biopsy to the external genitals of each patient, to develop the vagina for they. The cells are then extracted from the tissue, dilated and placed on a biodegradable material in the vaginal mold. Each vaginal mold is tailored to suit each patient.

About 5 - 6 weeks after the biopsy, the surgeon creates a tube into the pelvis of the patient and stitches the vaginal mold into the genital structure.

Previous research in Dr. Atala's laboratory showed that, when the mold containing the cell was implanted into the body, the nerves and blood vessels formed, cells expanded and formed tissue. At the same time, mold materials contain cells absorbed by the body, forming a solid support structure and gradually replacing the artificial mold with a new part.

Transplanted vagina has been implanted for women with congenital Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) , a rare genetic disorder that prevents the subject from developing or fully developing the vagina and uterus. However, experts hope, this method can also be applied to renewable treatment for patients with cancer or vaginal lesions.