In a first-of-its-kind procedure, doctors at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust successfully removed the uterus of a pregnant woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer – and later re-implanted it – allowing both the mother and her unborn baby to survive.

The patient, Lucy Isaac, was 12 weeks pregnant when doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital devised the pioneering procedure. The surgical team removed her uterus with the baby still inside, treated the cancer, and then carefully reinserted it, enabling Isaac to continue her pregnancy to term.

“We removed the entire uterus with the baby still inside, treated the cancer, and then placed the uterus back,” said Dr. Hooman Soleymani Majd, consultant gynecological surgeon.

Isaac, 33, had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer, making standard treatment impossible without risking the pregnancy. The success of the procedure marks a major step forward in maternal and fetal care.

The procedure, described as a world-first by the hospital, left everyone involved in the success story elated. Dr Soleymani Majd said: “When baby Rafferty visited us two weeks after being born, it was an immensely emotional moment for me and the team. This achievement not only highlights the advancements in medical science but also reinforces our commitment to providing innovative and life-saving procedures. I am grateful for the trust placed in us, and proud of the collaborative effort that made this possible.”