South African doctors have performed the world’s first successful penis transplant.

Doctors at the Stellenbosch University and Tygbery Hospital in South Africa carried out the operation on December 11 on a 21-year-old patient.

Bloomberg reports that the university today announced that the operation had been a success, with the patient making a full recovery of all functions of the organ.

“Our goal was that he would be fully functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery,” said Andre van der Merwe, head of the university Division of Urology and team leader for the operation.

The patient had his penis amputated three years ago as a life-saving operation following complications arising from a circumcision. There are approximately 250 penile amputations every year in South Africa stemming from circumcisions.

It is the second time this type of operation was attempted and the first time that a successful long-term result was achieved, the university said.

“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,” said Van der Merwe.