A team of South Africa surgeons has performed the world's first successful penis transplant in a marathon nine-hour operation, Stellenbosch University announced Friday.

The operation, led by Prof André van der Merwe, head of the university's Division of Urology, was performed in December at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville, Cape Town, the university said.

The university said it was the second time that the procedure had been attempted, but the first time that a successful long-term result was achieved. The university said the the unidentified 24-year-old patient had had his penis amputated three years ago as a result of a botched circumcision at the age of 18.By Kimena Nuhu.