The world's first successful penis transplant has been done by a surgical team in South Africa. And its lucky recipient is a 21-year-old man whose identify is being protected.
BBC reports the man had lost his penis in a botched circumcision. He was 18 and already segxwally active when he had the circumcision that was part of the transition from boyhood to adulthood in parts of South Africa. The boy was left with just 1cm of his original penis.
He received his new penis from a deceased donor, whose family were praised by doctors and surgeons at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital performed the nine-hour operation to attach it.
One of the surgeons, Andre Van der Merwe, who normally performs kidney transplants, told the BBC News website:
"This is definitely much more difficult, the blood vessels are 1.5 mm wide. In the kidney it can be 1 cm." The team used some of the techniques that had been developed to perform the first face transplants in order to connect the tiny blood vessels and nerves.
The operation took place on 11 December last year. Three months later doctors say the recovery has been rapid. Full sensation has not returned and doctors suggest this could take two years.
However, the man is able to pass urine, have an erection, orgasm and ejaculate. He is happy and healthy.
The team said there was extensive discussion about whether the operation, which is not life-saving in the same way as a heart transplant, was ethical.
Doctors say South Africa has some of the greatest need for penis transplants anywhere in the world as dozens, although some say hundreds, of boys are maimed or die each year during traditional initiation ceremonies. Further attempts on other patients are expected to take place in three months time.
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I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 13-03-2015 08:51 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero
victororo at 13-03-2015 08:58 PM (10 years ago) (m)
AWESOME WELDONE GUYS!!™™
Posted: at 13-03-2015 08:58 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
Foxtroft at 13-03-2015 11:35 PM (10 years ago) (m)
Good job docs. Dareper and Zeigbo, when are you gonna have yours replaced? I promise i will conduct launching to pay for the procedure. As for Freethinker, he does not need peen transplant; all he need is brain transplant
Posted: at 13-03-2015 11:35 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
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