Vietnamese surgeons achieve rare penis transplant

Vietnamese surgeons have successfully performed a penis transplant, marking only the sixth documented case worldwide. The six-hour procedure, conducted at Viet Duc University Hospital in Hanoi on July 27, involved a 43-year-old male patient who had previously undergone partial removal of his penis. While the patient had recovered normal urinary function over four years of treatment, the remaining tissue was too short for normal sexual activity, severely affecting his confidence and quality of life. A multidisciplinary team evaluated his medical condition, immune compatibility, psychological readiness, and ethical considerations before deeming him a suitable candidate. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang, Director of the Andrology Center, described the surgery as technically demanding, requiring surgeons to rebuild the urinary passage and erectile tissues while reconnecting tiny blood vessels and nerves using microsurgical techniques. The operation brought together specialists in organ transplantation, andrology, microsurgery, anesthesia, intensive care, immunology, and nursing, following modern transplant protocols. Doctors stated that the achievement could open new treatment options for patients who have lost the organ due to cancer, trauma, or accidents, demonstrating Vietnam's capacity for highly advanced reconstructive transplant surgery. Prior to this first-of-its-kind operation in Vietnam, the hospital spent months developing treatment protocols, studying international experience, and assembling a multidisciplinary team. The patient has shown encouraging progress, with stable vital signs and good wound healing. Doctors cautioned that further follow-up is needed to assess sensation, function, and long-term rejection risks. Hospital officials believe the successful transplant provides a strong foundation for expanding advanced reconstructive transplant techniques in Vietnam, offering new hope to patients with severe injuries and conditions that previously had few effective treatment options. Information Source: VnExpress International