AIIMS Surgeons Successfully Remove Parasitic Twin’s Extra Limbs in Historic Surgery

Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have completed a major surgical procedure by successfully removing two extra feet from the abdomen of a 17-year-old boy. The young man, born with four legs, had two extra feet attached to his stomach, a rare condition that significantly affected his life.

AIIMS medical experts confirmed that this is the first time such a surgery has been performed at the prestigious institution.

A Rare Medical Condition: Incomplete Parasitic Twinning

Dr. Aswari Krishna, Additional Professor in the Department of Surgery at AIIMS, explained that the boy's condition is clinically classified as "incomplete parasitic twin." This rare occurrence happens in about one in 10 million births when a twin pregnancy fails to develop completely, leaving parts of the underdeveloped twin attached to the surviving baby.

Globally, there are only 42 documented cases of four-legged individuals, making it a rare medical phenomenon.

Teen Struggles and Assessment

The 17-year-old, a resident of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, visited the outpatient department of AIIMS for the first time on January 28. When examined, doctors noticed that he had covered his stomach with a cloth, hiding two extra feet dangling underneath.

He explained his early life struggles due to his condition and how it affected him socially and psychologically. He further stated:

"I couldn't travel anywhere or do any physical activity," adding that he had dropped out of school in the eighth grade.

"I hope to study and get a job. A new world has opened up to me," the boy said.

Successful Surgical Intervention

The surgical team was a multidisciplinary group of medical experts led by Dr. VK Bansal, Dr. Sushant Soren, Dr. Brijesh Singh, Dr. Abhinu, Dr. Manish Singhal, Dr. Shashank Chauhan, Dr. Ganga Prasad, and Dr. Rakesh.

The surgical intervention consisted of two distinct steps: initially, the surgical team removed the parasitic twin, followed by a complex extraction of the cystic mass from surrounding organs. With the support of a comprehensive medical team consisting of specialized radiologists, anesthesiologists, and reconstructive surgeons, the entire procedure was successfully completed in two and a half hours.

A team of surgeons from AIIMS carried out the complex procedure to remove the extra legs with the aim of improving the young man's quality of life. The successful operation marks a major medical breakthrough and gives hope to others facing similar rare conditions.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal/MSM)