Rare cancer, American man receives penis transplant

(Baonghean.vn) - SurgeryThe recent penis transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital is considered a "milestone" in surgery in the US.

Cancer patient Thomas Manning, 64, is the first person in the US to receive a successful penis transplant. Photo: CNN.

Thomas Manning, 64, is recovering after a 15-hour surgery performed by more than 50 doctors and nurses. Manning had his penis removed after being diagnosed with cancer in 2012.

The surgery connected the blood vessels and nerves of the donated penis to the 64-year-old man's body. Dr. Dicken Ko, head of the hospital's urology department, said the goal of the surgery was to restore the penis' original shape and function.

Although Mr. Manning is still recovering, there are no signs of bleeding or infection. Doctors believe that the transplanted organ will soon return to normal function, and Mr. Manning will be discharged in the next three to four days.

Mr Manning will need to take immunosuppressants for the rest of his life to prevent possible rejection of the transplant. These drugs also have the potential to regenerate nerves. While the success of the surgery will vary from case to case, doctors believe the technique will soon be used in gender reassignment surgery.

The first penis transplant surgery was performed in 2014 in South Africa, on a 21-year-old man. The patient was then able to have children.

Thanh Hien

(According to CNN)