The 12-hour operation would involve stitching together of nerves and blood vessels and could restore urinary function. PHOTO: IBN LIVE
A Johns Hopkins spokesperson confirmed a New York Times report that the first such operation was planned for a soldier who suffered genital injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
World's first penis transplant patient to father a child
The 12-hour operation would involve the stitching together of nerves and blood vessels and could restore urinary function and over time, the ability to have sex.
Because the procedure would restore only the penis and not the testes, the patient would not be able to have biological children, according to the report.
According to the Times, more than 1,367 soldiers suffered injury to their genitals between 2001 and 2013 in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Although the procedure is not required to save a life, doctors and Pentagon officials told the newspaper they believe it is worthwhile to deal with the psychological trauma suffered by the soldiers.
The university has been authorised to perform 60 of the experimental surgeries, with organs coming from deceased males whose families have given permission.
US firefighter gets world's most extensive face transplant
Earlier this year, a South African man received the world's first successful penis transplant and reported later he was to become a father.
There was nothing preventing the South African patient from having children because his testicles, where sperm is produced, were not affected.
COMMENTS (4)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ