The world's first penis transplant was a success

It could now become a more common procedure

(Getty)

A team of surgeons from Stellenbosch University in South Africa has completed the first successful penile transplant in the world, with the patient now having full use of the organ.

Nine more patients will now receive new penises, and the procedure could eventually be extended to men who have lost their members from cancer or as a last-resort treatment for severe erectile dysfunction.

A 21-year-old man was the first recipient of the transplant during a nine-hour operation in December, having had his penis amputated three years ago following complications arising out of a circumcision.

According to the university, he has made a full recovery and has regained all function in the newly transplanted organ.

"Our goal was that he would be fully functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery," said lead surgeon Professor Andre van der Merwe.

"This is a very serious situation. For a young man of 18 or 19 years the loss of his penis can be deeply traumatic.

"He doesn’t necessarily have the psychological capability to process this. There are even reports of suicide among these young men."

"It's a massive breakthrough. We've proved that it can be done – we can give someone an organ that is just as good as the one that he had," Graewe added. "It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world."