Cape Town - The University of Stellenbosch’s medical department on Friday announced the performance of the world’s first successful penile transplant in Cape Town.
The Stellenbosch University health faculty described the procedure as a ground-breaking transplant operation, as doctors successfully transplanted a penis to a human being at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town on 11 December 2014.
"It’s the first time success was achieved with such a procedure," the SU Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences said.
"South Africa remains at the forefront of medical progress," said Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).
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"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."
Massive breakthrough
The operation, led by SU’s Division of Urology head Prof Andre van der Merwe, lasted a marathon nine-hours. It was the first time a successful long-term result was achieved, after one previous attempt failed.
"Our goal was that he would be fully functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery," says Van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe was also assisted by Prof Frank Graewe, head of the Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery at SU FMHS, and Prof Rafique Moosa, head of the FMHS Department of Medicine, as well as other support staff.
"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," says Graewe. "It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world."
The patient’s identity is being protected for ethical reasons, the department added.
Doctors also fashioned a penis from abdominal skin for the donor, so he could be buried with something that appeared to be a penis.
News24’s Jerusha Sukhdeo-Raath was at the press briefing on Friday to cover the historic moment.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...le-transplant-performed-in-Cape-Town-20150313
The Stellenbosch University health faculty described the procedure as a ground-breaking transplant operation, as doctors successfully transplanted a penis to a human being at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town on 11 December 2014.
"It’s the first time success was achieved with such a procedure," the SU Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences said.
"South Africa remains at the forefront of medical progress," said Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).
<a href="http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?iu=/8900/24.com/Web/News24/SouthAfrica/Articles&sz=600x50&c=86189122&t=artid=4a6d9f51-3eda-402c-a99c-ed32ffb3e003&Companies=stellenbosch university&Places=cape town&Topics=penis transplant,transplants,medicine,good news&posno=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?iu=/8900/24.com/Web/News24/SouthAfrica/Articles&sz=600x50&c=86189122&t=artid=4a6d9f51-3eda-402c-a99c-ed32ffb3e003&Companies=stellenbosch university&Places=cape town&Topics=penis transplant,transplants,medicine,good news&posno=1" border="0" alt=""></a>
"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."
Massive breakthrough
The operation, led by SU’s Division of Urology head Prof Andre van der Merwe, lasted a marathon nine-hours. It was the first time a successful long-term result was achieved, after one previous attempt failed.
"Our goal was that he would be fully functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery," says Van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe was also assisted by Prof Frank Graewe, head of the Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery at SU FMHS, and Prof Rafique Moosa, head of the FMHS Department of Medicine, as well as other support staff.
"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," says Graewe. "It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world."
The patient’s identity is being protected for ethical reasons, the department added.
Doctors also fashioned a penis from abdominal skin for the donor, so he could be buried with something that appeared to be a penis.
News24’s Jerusha Sukhdeo-Raath was at the press briefing on Friday to cover the historic moment.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...le-transplant-performed-in-Cape-Town-20150313
