A 22-year-old South African man who had the world’s first successful penis transplant in December 2014 is all set to become a father. He has impregnated his girlfriend, doctors said in June this year. He is one among 250 South Africans who lose their penises each year because of traditional circumcisions that have gone wrong.

The successful transplant was announced in March this year. The nine-hour transplant operation formed part of a pilot study by Tygerberg Hospital and the University of Stellenbosch. After the operation, his penis function recovered completely – he could urinate normally and have sexual intercourse. Andre van der Merwe who led the surgical team said that they knew that he could ejaculate normally and there was no reason for him to be infertile. A pregnancy was expected at some stage, although not this early.

It is hoped that the procedure could eventually be offered to men who have lost their penis to cancer or as a last resort for severe erectile dysfunction.