Thomas Manning's Penis Transplant Is First in US

Thomas Manning received the first penis transplant in the United States during surgery last week at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, reported The New York Times.

Manning, 64, a Halifax, Massachusetts bank courier, had his penis removed in 2012 because of cancer, noted the newspaper. Manning received the organ from a deceased donor and doctors believe he should to be able to urinate normally in weeks and regain sexual function "in weeks to months," Dr. Curtis L. Cetrulo told the Times.

A team of surgeon, led by Ceturlo and Dr. Dicken S.C. Ko, performed the 15-hour operation, noted a Massachusetts General news release.

The New England Organ Bank told the Times that the donation family wanted to remain anonymous, but added that they were delighting that Manning's recovery was going well.

"To this donor family, we offer our thoughts as they struggle with their loss and our humble thank you, deep appreciation and admiration for the humanity they showed," said Alexandra Glazier, president and chief executive of the New England Organ Bank "They wish the recipient to know that they feel blessed and are delighted to hear his recovery is going well and are praying that his recovery continues."

Massachusetts General said men have lost penises to disease, injuries in combat or through other traumatic events. The Times noted that from 2001 to 2013, 1,367 men in the military suffered so-called genitourinary injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan, nearly all from improvised explosive device incidents, according to the Department of Defense Trauma Registry.

"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," Cetrulo said.

"The entire transplant team has worked tirelessly to ensure that our patient is on the path to recovery, thanks in part to the gift of organ donation," Cetrulo added.

A previous penis transplant in China failed in 2006 while one in South Africa in 2014 was successful enough that it led to the man fathering a child, said the Times.

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