These days, anything can be accomplished with surgery. Limbs can be replaced. Faces can be reconstructed. Botox removes any sign of age. And now, penises can be transplanted. The first ever penis transplant in the United States was completed this month in Boston—Now doctors just need to see if it will be successful.
When 64-year old-Thomas Manning was diagnosed with penile cancer, he unfortunately had to have his penis removed in 2012. This is a problem for, well, obvious reasons and can really mess up someone’s life. The Halifax, Mass. man seemingly would be stuck without a penis for the rest of his days.
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, though, had a solution. The New York Daily News reports that a deceased organ donor’s family was willing to donate their relative’s penis for Manning for a procedure that has only been seen in China and South Africa. Three years of planning and a 15-hour procedure later, Manning has a new member. According to CNN, it took nearly 50 surgeons, doctors and nurses to complete the task on May 8 and 9. The surgery seems to have gone well, and Manning is now open to speaking publicly about the surgery as a way to overcome the stigmas often linked to genital cancers and injuries.
The leader of Manning’s surgical team, Dr. Curtis L. Cetrulo, told The New York Times, “We’re cautiously optimistic. It’s uncharted waters for us.” His caution comes from the knowledge that this surgery was an experiment as part of a research program. If Manning’s operation turns out to be successful, it could become a milestone for helping injured veterans, accident victims and cancer patients with similar issues. Dr. Cetrulo continued by saying that a successful operation would mean normal urination will return for Manning in a few weeks, and sexual function should resume within the coming weeks to months. Because of the optimistic outcome of the operation so far, there is already another patient lined up for a similar transplant once another donor comes along.
Although an operation of this sort would usually cost around $50,000 to $75,000, the hospital is paying for the procedures and the doctors are donating their time to perform the surgeries. As part of an experimental process, patients like Manning are told not to expect anything from the operation, as only two other penis transplants have been performed before. As Manning told The New York Times, “They made no promises. That was part of the deal.” One operation done in China in 2006 failed, while one performed in South Africa in 2014 was a success.
Penis operations are nothing to joke about. They mean taking anti-rejection pills for the rest of Manning’s life and having to become familiar with very unfamiliar genitalia. However, success for Manning could benefit veterans in a huge way. The Times reported that suicide rates are exceptionally high in veterans with genital injuries. This operation could very well be life-saving to these men. “We are hopeful that these reconstructive techniques will allow us to alleviate the suffering and despair of those who have experienced devastating genitourinary injuries and are often so despondent they consider taking their own lives,” Dr. Cetrulo told CNN.
Just as uterus transplants would be groundbreaking for women, penis transplants could help men finally regain a sense of self after suffering from diseases or injuries. Hopefully, Manning is happy with his new member and paves the way for men everywhere.