Sex organ transplant patient to become a dad

Stellenbosch — The recipient of the first penile transplant is about to become a father.

This was announced by Stellenbosch University urologist Professor Andre van der Merwe at a public lecture yesterday. A series of these talks are scheduled where researchers at the university will discuss their work “in layman’s terms”.

The 21-year-old recipient recently informed the head of the university’s Division of Urology his girlfriend was expecting.

This, Van der Merwe told News24, confirms the surgery was a success and “the organ is functioning”.

The recipient, who lost his penis due to a botched circumcision, is still being monitored six months after the delicate nine-hour micro surgery was successfully completed at the Tygerberg Hospital in December last year.

The man is still under observation as the team check for possible improvements to be made for future operations, which could take place as early as mid-August. — AFP