Penis transplant: Patient lost organ in botched initiation

Cape Town - The recipient of the world's first successful penis transplant is a 21-year-old man who lost his penis due to severe complications following a traditional circumcision, surgeons said on Friday.

Professor André van der Merwe, head of Stellenbosch University's Division of Urology, announced details of the groundbreaking operation at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town.

The marathon nine-hour operation was carried out in December. Although this type of operation has been attempted before, this is the first time that a patient has made a full recovery, regaining all function in the organ.