World's first successful penis transplant performed in SA

Cape Town - The University of Stellenbosch's medical department on Friday announced the successful performance of the world's first 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 Medical Campus in Bellville, Cape Town on 11 December 2014.

"It's the first time success was achieved with such a procedure," the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences said.

The operation, led by SU's Division of Urology head Prof Andre van der Merwe, lasted a marathon nine-hours. It was first time a successful long-term result was achieved, after one previous attempt failed.