South Africa
as we know has many Political, Social and Economical Problems.
Many European
South Africans have always been ashamed and despondent about the country they
have called home… but… there are times when news like this breaks out and gives
South Africa hope that we can be on par with the rest of Europe and the world.
This article,
part of the “Stellenbosch Medical Journal” makes me proud of the success the
Medical Field has achieved this year! One of the
Nursing staff who was part of this surgical team is a Hellene by the name of ElisabetGeorgakopoulou.
In a
ground-breaking operation, a team of pioneering surgeons from Stellenbosch
University (SU) and Tygerberg Hospital in the Cape performed the first
successful penile transplant in the world.
The marathon
nine-hour operation, led by Prof André van der Merwe, head of SU's Division of
Urology, was performed on 11 December 2014 at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville,
Cape Town. This is the second time that this type of procedure was attempted,
but the first time in history that a successful long-term result was achieved.
This procedure could eventually also be extended
to men who have lost their penises from penile cancer or as a last-resort
treatment for severe erectile dysfunction due to medication side effects. As
part of the study, nine more patients will receive penile transplants.
Medical
progress
"South Africa remains at the forefront of
medical progress," says Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of Stellenbosch
University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).
"This
procedure is another excellent example of how medical research, technical know-
how and patient-centred care can be combined in the quest to relieve human
suffering. It shows what can be achieved through effective partnerships between
academic institutions and government health services."
Van der Merwe
was assisted by Prof Frank Graewe, head of the Division of Plastic
Reconstructive Surgery at SU FMHS, Prof RafiqueMoosa, head of the FMHS
Department of Medicine, transplant coordinators, anaesthetists, theatre nurses,
a psychologist, an ethicist and other support staff. The patient,
whose identity is being protected for ethical reasons, has made a full recovery
and has regained all function in the newly transplanted organ.
'Rapid
recovery'
"Our goal was that he would be fully
functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery,"
says Van der Merwe. The end result of the transplant was the restoration of all
the patient's urinary and reproductive functions. "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," says Graewe. "It
was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the
world."
"Western
Cape Government Health (WCGH) is very proud to be part of this ground- breaking
scientific achievement," says Dr Beth Engelbrecht, head of the WCGH.
"We are proud of the medical team, who also form part of our own staff
compliment at Tygerberg Hospital.
"It is
good to know that a young man's life has been significantly changed with this
very complex surgical feat. From experience we know that penile dysfunction and
disfigurement has a major adverse psychological effect on people."
Pilot
project
The procedure
was part of a pilot study to develop a penile transplant procedure that could
be performed in a typical South African hospital theatre setting.
"There is
a greater need in South Africa for this type of procedure than elsewhere in the
world, as many young men lose their penises every year due to complications
from traditional circumcision," explains Van der Merwe.
Three years
ago the 21-year-old recipient's penis had to be amputated in order to save his
life when he developed severe complications after a traditional circumcision.
Although there are no formal records on the number of penile amputations per
year due to traditional circumcision, one study reported up to 55 cases in the
Eastern Cape alone, and experts estimate as many as 250 amputations per year
across the country.
Heroes
"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," says Van der Merwe.
"The
heroes in all of this for me are the donor, and his family. They saved the
lives of many people because they donated the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver,
skin, corneas, and then the penis," says Van der Merwe. Finding a donor
organ was one of the major challenges of the study.
The planning
and preparation for the study started in 2010. After extensive research Van der
Merwe and his surgical team decided to employ some parts of the model and
techniques developed for the first facial transplant.
"We used
the same type of microscopic surgery to connect small blood vessels and nerves,
and the psychological evaluation of patients was also similar. The procedure
has to be sustainable and has to work in our environment at Tygerberg,"
says Van der Merwe.
So with all
this to consider…a successful Surgical Process was a Success.
We are proud
of the whole surgical team!
They have made
a difference in the world and we are proud to have had a fellow South African Hellene involved in the first penis transplant procedure.
.......By EfiKanavou for Sella Sella Messinia Blog News Nemesis
E. Kanavou ( ΚΑΘΗΓΗΤΡΙΑ ΣΤO JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA)
MEΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ
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