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It is being reported that the first successful penis transplant has happened.
The operation took place three months ago in South Africa. A 21-year-old man had to have his penis amputated 3 years ago in order to save his life. He had developed severe complications after a routine circumcision.
There are no formal records on how many penile amputations have to happen due to traditional circumcisions going wrong. Although one study reported 55 cases on the Eastern Cape alone. It is estimated that there have been as many as 250 amputations per year.
The 9-hour operation was led by Professor Andre van der Merwe at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town. It was the second time that such a procedure has been attempted, but the first time it was successful. The first attempt was in China in 2006. However, the member had to be removed again due to "a severe psychological problem of the recipient and his wife".
Professor Frank Graewe, the head of plastic reconstructive surgery at Stellenbosch University said, "It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world."
His colleague Professor Jimmy Volmink, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, added, "South Africa remains at the forefront of medical progress. This procedure is another excellent example of how medical research, technical know-how and patient-centred care can be combined in the quest to relieve human suffering. It shows what can be achieved through effective partnerships between academic institutions and government health services."
The university says the procedure could eventually also be extended to men who have lost their penises from penile cancer or as a last-resort treatment for severe erectile dysfunction due to medication side effects. As part of the study, 9 more patients will receive penile transplants.
Doctors say the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, has made a full recovery since the operation on December 11 and had regained all his urinary and reproductive functions.
So, good news for Keson.
The operation took place three months ago in South Africa. A 21-year-old man had to have his penis amputated 3 years ago in order to save his life. He had developed severe complications after a routine circumcision.
There are no formal records on how many penile amputations have to happen due to traditional circumcisions going wrong. Although one study reported 55 cases on the Eastern Cape alone. It is estimated that there have been as many as 250 amputations per year.
The 9-hour operation was led by Professor Andre van der Merwe at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town. It was the second time that such a procedure has been attempted, but the first time it was successful. The first attempt was in China in 2006. However, the member had to be removed again due to "a severe psychological problem of the recipient and his wife".
Professor Frank Graewe, the head of plastic reconstructive surgery at Stellenbosch University said, "It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world."
His colleague Professor Jimmy Volmink, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, added, "South Africa remains at the forefront of medical progress. This procedure is another excellent example of how medical research, technical know-how and patient-centred care can be combined in the quest to relieve human suffering. It shows what can be achieved through effective partnerships between academic institutions and government health services."
The university says the procedure could eventually also be extended to men who have lost their penises from penile cancer or as a last-resort treatment for severe erectile dysfunction due to medication side effects. As part of the study, 9 more patients will receive penile transplants.
Doctors say the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, has made a full recovery since the operation on December 11 and had regained all his urinary and reproductive functions.
So, good news for Keson.
