First US Penis Transplant Success: Sexual Function Possible, Not Reproduction

Penis transplant is now possible. Doctors have performed the first ever US penis transplant and called this milestone a "landmark procedure."

CNN reported that patient Thomas Manning is now recovering well after undergoing the transplant, which lasted for 15 hours at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The procedure was carried out a team composed of more than 50 surgeons, doctors, as well as nurses. 

The patient lost his penis after being diagnosed with penile cancer back in 2012.  The "landmark" procedure is also called the gentitourinary vascularized composite allograft, or GUVCA. Performing the procedure involves crafting and shaping the donor organ to make it into a comparable structure for the recipient. 

The complicated vascular and nerve structures of a donor penis have to be adjusted to make it compatible with the body of the patient. The director of Massachusetts General Hospital said the objective behind the procedure was not just to give the patient something he lost before. The goal was to have a functional penis that the patient can urinate and even have sexual activities with. 

The director however drew the line at reproduction goal. This was not designed to be an objective because it will only lead to ethical concerns. If the transplanted penis can lead to reproduction and a baby is born, many will just question who the father is. 

Regardless of not being able to reproduce with it, Manning seems very happy with the outcome of the procedure. Today I begin a new chapter filled with personal hope and hope for others who have suffered genital injuries, particularly for our service members who put their lives on the line and suffer serious damage as a result," Manning said in a statement provided by the hospital to CNN.

He is so happy with the procedure that he promises to do everything to help others in the same situation get the same surgery. "I am going to start going into the Veterans hospital and everything. I'm going into the bowel of the beast," he said Tuesday in a hospital room interview with NewsCenter 5 anchor Heather Unruh, as reported by WCVB. "I'll talk to anyone that listens," he promised.