A South African man is the first in the world to have a successful penis transplant, doctors announced.
The surgery, which lasted for nine hours in December, restored urinary and sexual function in a 21-year-old man who lost his penis in a botched circumcision.
"It's a massive breakthrough. We've proved that it can be done – we can give someone an organ that is just as good as the one that he had," said Frank Graewe, a doctor on the procedure, in a statement. "It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world."
To accomplish the task, a team from Stellenbosch University used microscopic surgical techniques similar to those used in face transplants. The surgery was performed at at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa in December.
In 2006, a Chinese team succeeded in physically transplanting a penis, but the surgery failed due to psychological factors. The penis was removed.
At least nine more men are waiting for the procedure, Stellenbosch University said.
"The heroes in all of this for me are the donor, and his family,” said lead physician Van der Merwe. “They saved the lives of many people because they donated the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, skin, corneas, and then the penis.”
Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk.
