We landed on the moon. We invented jazz! The iPhone. Facebook. Now, America can yet again wave its flag with pride as we’ve reached another milestone to prove just how great America is. We just performed the first successful penis transplant in US history.
That’s right. Today, Thomas Manning, 64, is officially winning. And America made it so. Surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that they performed the penile transplant on Manning on May 8 and 9 in a 15-hour procedure. His birth penis was removed in 2012 due to penile cancer. He was forced to undergo a curative partial penectomy – or amputation of the penis.
Manning, unmarried, is recovering and his body appears to be accepting the transplant. Curtis Cetrulo and Dickens Ko, Manning’s surgeons, said they were “cautiously optimistic,” adding that hopefully Manning will regain full urinary and sexual function, two issues that plague many others like Manning who suffer penile trauma, particularly soldiers. Doctors hope the procedure will soon be able to help severely wounded soldiers.
“Today I begin a new chapter filled with personal hope and hope for others who have suffered genital injuries, particularly for our servicemembers who put their lives on the line and suffer serious damage as a result,” said Manning, a bank courier in Halifax, Massachusetts.
The surgery followed Manning undergoing an intense psychological screening. Also, doctors spent 3½ years doing research and uniting an expert team of scientists, medical doctors and other specialists, including a psychiatrist.
Manning’s new penis was retrieved through a donor. According to Alexandra Glazier, who heads the organ bank, the family was “delighted” to hear that Manning’s transplant was a success.
“We offer our thoughts as they struggle with their loss — and our humble thank you, deep appreciation and admiration for the humanity they showed,” Glazier said in a statement to the family.
