Wounded soldier scheduled for first U.S. penis transplant

An unidentified wounded soldier is scheduled to have the first penis transplant in the United States. The man was injured in an explosion that caused him to lose most of his penis while serving overseas. The donated organ is expected to be fully functional after transplantation, giving the soldier the ability to both urinate and procreate.

The transplant will be only the third completed worldwide. The procedure is more complicated than transplanting other organs. The penis is delicate, and the donor has to match the patient’s blood type and skin tone. The donor also needs to be within 10 years of the recipient’s age. The recipient will have to undergo multiple tests prior to the procedure, including psychiatric evaluations, which can take up to a year.

The first successful penis transplant was a South African man in 2014. In 2006 a Chinese man had an unsuccessful transplant.

The operation involves joining nerves and blood vessels through the use of a microscope. Doctors expect that the nerves in the donor organ will be able to regrow, hopefully giving the patient function within 6 months to a year.

Dr. Richard Redett, Johns Hopkins Hospital director of pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, said after the surgery the main focus will be on making sure the donor tissue remains healthy, with adequate blood supply and little chance of rejection. He said that is generally known within a few days. The next priority is regaining function.

The patient will start immediately on anti-rejection medication. About 14 days later he will get an infusion of bone marrow from the donor that could help reduce the need for a life time of immunosuppressive drugs.

Surgeons hope to perform penis transplantations on 60 veterans in the upcoming months. Doctors and advocates who work with wounded soldiers note that losing a penis is one of the most traumatic injuries emotionally, as it affects the person’s sense of manhood and identity, especially for men who hope to become fathers.

The procedure will be performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It is expected to occur within the next few weeks. Surgeons are currently looking for a donor who is a good match. Unlike donations of other organs, doctors need specific permission for this donation.