First Successful Penis Transplant Reportedly Performed in South Africa

Get the scoop on the surgical breakthrough

By Brett Malec Mar 13, 2015 11:06 PMTags
Penis Transplant, Doctorshttp://www.sun.ac.za/

Good news for men in need of a new penis!

The first successful penis transplant was reportedly performed on a 21-year-old man in South Africa. A team of surgeons lead by Professor Andre van der Merwe performed the surgery back in December and are now reporting the transplant was a success.

"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," Merwe said (via Sky News).

The patient lost his penis three years ago after a ritual circumcision that is a tradition in certain parts of South Africa.

"There is a greater need in South Africa for this type of procedure than elsewhere in the world, as many young men lose their penises every year due to complications from traditional circumcision," Merwe added.

As for how the patient has reacted to the success of the procedure, Merwe said, "The patient accepted the penis as his own. He told me in no uncertain terms that the fact it belonged to somebody else is completely out of his mind and he's moved on with this as his own penis. That's absolutely the way we want it."

"Cosmetically we've got a very good match for color. We obviously transplanted a good normal penis and the erections that the patient gets are very good," he added. "Our goal was that he would be fully functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery."