AIIMS Delhi Performs Complex Surgery to Remove Extra Limbs from in Rare Parasitic Twin Case

New Delhi: A 17-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh can finally embrace a normal life after doctors at AIIMS Delhi successfully removed two extra lower limbs growing from his abdomen.

The condition, known as 'incomplete parasitic twin,' is extremely rare, with only 40 such cases reported globally in medical literature. According to the doctors, this was the first time such a procedure was performed at the premier institute.

Dr Asuri Krishna, Additional Professor in the Department of Surgery, stated that the boy, a native of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, visited the surgery outpatient department in the last week of January seeking medical help.

"We had heard about twin pregnancies. Sometimes, twin fetuses fail to separate from each other in the womb and are born as conjoined twins. Very rarely does one of the twins not form completely and is born attached to the other twin as a parasitic limb. While conjoined twins are rare, this case was even rarer than that. It was a one-in-a-million case," Dr Krishna explained.

The doctor further elaborated that most such cases are diagnosed early in life, but this patient remained undiagnosed until the age of 17. "It was a difficult case as the patient had a complex anatomy, so experts from multiple departments had to get involved," he said.

The surgery was performed on February 8, following extensive medical evaluation. "The surgery lasted for two hours. We were able to successfully detach the parasitic twin along with two large cysts present inside the abdomen of the boy, which we believe to be the incompletely formed body of the other twin," Dr Krishna stated.

The boy was kept under observation in the ICU for 24 hours post-surgery and was discharged on the fourth day. "It was the first time that such a condition was treated at AIIMS Delhi. The boy is very happy as all the social stigmas attached to his appearance have been completely removed now," Dr Krishna added.

Expressing his relief, the teenager shared his emotional journey. "I was a social outcast and was laughed at. I am happy that I will be accepted in society after this surgery," he said. The boy, who has never attended school, now hopes to start his education.

(with inputs from PTI)