World's First Penis Transplant a Success; Genitals Cut-off After Traditional Circumcision in South Africa

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A 21-year-old man in South Africa had his penis transplanted from a deceased donor on Dec 11, 2014 marking it the World's first successful penile transplantation surgery. The nine hours-long surgery was carried out by a team of doctors from the University of Stellenbosch's faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS) at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town.

Traditional circumcision done on the event of coming of age had incurred complications leading to amputation of penis in the patient, reports the CNN. The youngster who had his penis removed three years ago is already sexually active after successful transplantation and can also have children in future, says the BGR.

Dr. Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the FMHS, said that South Africa remains at the forefront of medical developments and also noted that the surgery is a good example of how patient-centred care, technical know-how, and medical research could be used in ombination to provide relief to ailing people, reported the university press release Friday.    

The patient, who was expected to be fully functional in about two years, surprised everyone with a rapid recovery, said Dr. Van der Merwe, the lead surgeon at FMHS. Complete restoration of the urinary and reproductive functions of the patient is the end result of the penis transplantation surgery, noted Merwe, who called the surgery as a massive breakthrough, according to the university press release.  

Botched circumcision had led many young men in Africa lose their penis, said Merwe. The youngsters are psychologically affected because of the loss of penis, a vital part of the body, and some even committed suicide, added the doctor.

Merwe praised the donor and his family for having made this miracle possible and also noted that they saved many lives by donating heart, kidneys, lungs, skin, liver, corneas and penis. Small blood vessels and nerves were connected using microscopic surgery and similar intensive psychological guidance was given to the patient, explained Merwe when he spoke in detail about the procedure.

The researchers also noted that the first penile transplantation surgery was done in China back in 2006, though it was technically a success the surgery had to be reverted since the patient was psychologically unfit to accept it. Following first successful transplantation nine other patients are likely to receive penis transplant in Africa, said the New24 pointing out to the risk of severe erectile dysfunction and penile cancer on the downside of the surgery.