The South African man who was the recipient of the world’s first penis transplant is set to become a father as his girlfriend is 4 months pregnant, BBC reports.
This was made known by the surgeon who performed the surgery, Andre van der Merwe, who said the pregnancy news shows the “transplant worked”.
Upon hearing the news, Dr Van der Merwe said he was “very pleased” adding that had not asked for a paternity test as there was no reason to doubt the couple.
The 21-year-old recipient, whose identify is being protected, lost his penis in a botched circumcision, and the operation took place in December.
A 9-hour surgery had been done at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital to attach a donated penis.
Speaking further on the news and transplant, Dr der Merwe said,
“This is what we intended, that he should be able to stand up and be able to urinate and havenintercourse, so it is a milestone for him,”
He also said he had not expected the man to be infertile, as he had an issue with his penis, not his testicles.
Dr Van der Merwe said the surgical team is yet to review the success of the operation, and may then carry out further transplants.
The unnamed boy who had been 18 and sexually active at the time of the botched circumcision, was left with just 1cm of his original penis as a result.
There have been attempts at penis transplants before, including one in China, but accounts suggested though the operation went well, he penis was later rejected.
Doctors say South Africa has some of the greatest need for penis transplants in the world.
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