Vaginas grown in a lab from the recipients’ own cells have been successfully transferred to the body for the first time.

The surgery was carried out on four women who were born without vaginal canals because of a rare condition. The women, who were teenagers at the time of the operation, now have fully functioning sexual organs.

The four women had undeveloped vaginas because they all have a severe form of a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MKRH), which affects about 1 in 5000 women. They were not able to have penetrative sex or menstruate. One of the women was diagnosed after her menstrual blood had collected in her abdomen.

How was it done?

Actually, very similarly to the famous ear-on-the-mouse technique. A small part of vulva cells were removed from each woman which were then grown in a lab. After about a month the cells were laid on a degradable scaffold in multiple layers.

Since the cells are the women’s own, there no chance of rejection, so after a surgery to create the necessary space for the scaffolding, some tactical connecting, some stitching and about six weeks of recovery time, the procedure was done.

All of this, note, actually happened several years ago; the reporting now is simply because everybody involved wanted to ensure there were no side effects or complications from the procedure. Given the success of these four women, however, it’s a fair bet to say we’ll be seeing a lot more organ scaffolding in humans.

Via NewScientist.