Amazing Effort By This Surgical Team

[Nibble]

A surgical team in Stellenbosch SA has successfully transplanted a mans penis, which is now reported as "fully functional" after a 9 hour operation. Now this really has seriously impressed me, but I also note that this is not the first occurance of this, as it was previously carried out in China, but not with a totally successful outcome, but this was due to emotional problems for the patient - not as a result of the medical procedure.

http://www.mail.com/int/news/world/3414388-safrican-university-performs-successful-penis-transplant.html#.2394-stage-set1-4

What are your thoughts/feelings?

[Mamyalynne]

Certainly impressive work by the surgeons.


What is distressing to read is the number of amputations following circumcisions that lead to the problem in the first place.

[mrs_overall]

I think it is brilliant.

A male relative had cancer of the penis which is fortunately one of the rarer cancers. One of his fellow patients had a full amputation which devastated him as he was only in his 30's. His wife subsequently left him and the poor chap committed suicide

[hc4361]

There are not many men who would could accept being attached to a dead man's penis, imo

[Mamyalynne]

Mrs O -that is devastating to hear.

[Nibble]

I feel for the chinese patient who after a successful operation then developed emotional problems, incidentally both he and his wife had issues with "his" new penis. Hopefully this won't be an issue for this patient.

[mrs_overall]

hc, can I ask (I am assuming you are male) if you would rather have no penis or a transplanted penis?

[The Builder]

Re the "psychological" ramifications, to put it into perspective... I remember in the 60s when the first heart transplant was carried out.

Critics were concerned that the heart is the "seat of the emotions". What an inaccurate load of tosh that is.

Anyway, good luck to him. I think it's remarkable.

[hc4361]

No penis, MrsO. Just as I couldn't accept a transplanted hand or any other part of me that I can see and touch.
I'd think very carefully before accepting an organ transplant, too.

[Peter Pedant]

you've gotta hand it to them - a rousing effort all round

[mrs_overall]

hc, I can understand your answer regarding external parts, but if you were in need of an organ transplant that would mean the difference between your life and death, would you really have doubts?

[hc4361]

MrsO, I can't see it as a black and white, yes or no answer. There would be so many things to take in to consideration but I wouldn't be as squeamish about it as I would the face/hand/penis transplants.

[mrs_overall]

Mamya, it was awful. He was a delightful man

[mrs_overall]

IMHO organ transplantation is a form of recycling

[hc4361]

It is indeed, MrsO, but the waiting lists are so long and there are always people in desperate need.

[wired]

Interesting discussion, can't imagine what response there'll be when it comes to head transplant.

[Peter Pedant]

as it was a man,
they've done it already havent they ?

sowed his brain back on I mean

[Nibble]

If medically they could complete a full head transplant, then how long until they would take for specific traits/ parts of the head?

Might be interesting getting a personality transplant for some people IMHO, but then again who's would/wouldn't have, mmmmmmm... choices, choices

[tonyav]

Head transplants could happen in about two years time, Nibble !.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11436319/Frankenstein-style-human-head-transplant-could-happen-in-two-years.html

[Nibble]

Coo.... Can I put in a bid for Einstein's then?? Oh no!, just remembered that one MAY be a bit past its sell by date (April 18, 1955). D'oh!

[tonyav]

Never mind, Nibble. Think of some one else instead.