Developing a surgical technique to relocate an implanted embryo/fetus for application in an ectopic pregnancy
Background: Ectopic pregnancy (the implantation of the embryo outside of the uterus) affects approximately 1 in 40 pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies are a major cause of maternal death during the first trimester of pregnancy. Various conditions can contribute to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, including, but not limited to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pelvic inflammatory disease, and the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Current treatments for ectopic pregnancies, including expectant management, methotrexate administration, and surgical intervention are limited in their abilities to preserve the life of the fetus and potentially the fertility of the mother. Two case studies of successful tubal-to-uterine embryo transfer have been reported in the case of ectopic pregnancies; however, a reproducible technique for embryo/fetus transfer is yet to be described.
Studies: The links provided below represent the following: As it is not ethical to conduct this experimentation in humans, the goal of our work is to develop this technique in an animal (the laboratory rat) in the hope that the information can benefit humans.
- The preclinical research conducted in this lab seeking to develop a surgical technique that could be used to relocate an embryo/fetus in the case of an ectopic pregnancy.
- The continued research at the human level resulting from the preclinical research
Goal: It is our hope that the findings from preclinical research and the studies that evolve as a result will provide the medical community with a foundation for developing a surgical procedure in the human, that would preserve both the life of the mother and the baby.
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Please see links below for specific research topics pertaining to this project:
- Preclinical Studies in the Rat – Development of the model
- Clinical Studies
Sammut Lab 