Gynaecology
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and reimplantation
In recent decades, advances in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood and adult cancer have greatly enhanced life expectancy. However, treatment with potentially sterilizing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy often results in premature ovarian failure.
Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue prior to cancer treatment is now a possible alternative for women at risk of premature menopause seeking to safeguard their fertility.
Both ovarian cortex removal for the purpose of cryopreservation (Figs 1 and 2) and thawed ovarian tissue reimplantation (Fig 3) are performed by laparoscopy.
Figure 2
Figure 3
We were very proud to obtain the first ever pregnancy and live birth resulting from a frozen ovarian tissue graft.
Dedicated as we are to fertility preservation, our gynaecology department currently boasts the largest ovarian tissue and ovary bank in the world.
