Ethical and societal challenges in penis transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current understanding of the ethical and societal difficulties of penile transplantation.

RECENT FINDINGS: Penile transplantation, as with other forms of vascularized composite allotransplantation, has increasing acceptance in society but is still not entirely accepted. Guidelines aiming to help guide future penile transplant programs in an ethical and scientific safe manner were created. Controversies regarding the economic impact, patient safety, and the rights of the patients choosing penile transplant remains.

SUMMARY: Penile transplantation has excellent functional and cosmetic results in the short-term and medium-term. The penis, similar to the face in facial transplantation, carries emotional gravity that relates to visible body parts of another that live forth in a tangible manner contributing to psychological and ethical challenges for both the individual and society more broadly, healthcare administrators, and healthcare workers. In the context of these challenges, controversies emerge related to issues of judgment about what society can and wants to afford. Effects of toxic immunosuppression in a nonlife saving life-enhancing procedure, as well as costs, become arguments that have to be considered in the context of ethical and societal challenges.