Surgeons at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine are preparing for a new type of transplant surgery that has never been performed in the United States. Penis transplants might seem unbelievable, but transplant surgery has seen incredible advances in recent years. Just recently, headlines were made after a firefighter who suffered severe burns in 2001 successfully underwent a face transplant that is allowing him to lead a more normal life.
Why penis transplants?
Surgeons are focusing their efforts on this particular type of transplant because of the large numbers of our military who suffer genitourinary injuries. According to TechMic.com, these types of injuries are common, and, “The Times reports that 1,367 men in military service sustained genitourinary injuries between 2001 and 2013, typically caused by the explosions of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. A 2010 article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggested that 12% of all war injuries involved genitourinary trauma. “
Those who suffer genitourinary injuries have a higher prevalence of depression and PTSD, and generally suffer other effects because of the impact on their psyche. Jamie Levine, Chief of Microsurgery at the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at New York University Langone Medical Center, said, “Identity is a significant issue for many individuals who have sustained an injury that resulted in lost genitals, especially for younger individuals.”
For the first time in history, medical advances may be able to pay back some of those who gave all for their country. The transplants are complicated; surgeries may take up to 12 hours and involve stitching nerves and arteries under a microscope. However, if successful, doctors believe that transplant recipients will have urinary function, sensation, and even the ability to have sex.
For now, the transplants will be offered only to members of the military who suffered injuries to their genitals while in combat. This powerful new tool gives surgeons the ability to endow wounded soldiers with massive benefits. Richard Redett, Director of Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Johns Hopkins, said, “To be missing the penis and parts of the scrotum is devastating- these guys have given everything they have.”
We at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm support every effort to help our troops, both active and retired. We hope that this new surgical procedure gives wounded soldiers more hope for a brighter future.
To find out more about our work in helping victims of serious and life-changing injuries from defective penile implants and dangerous penile injections, contact us to meet with an experienced personal injury attorney in Nashville, Gallatin or Knoxville.
