Doctors in Delhi have successfully removed a rare parasitic twin from a 17-year-old boy restoring not only his physical health but also his hope for a future free from stigma and isolation.
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Parasitic twins, a rare phenomenon occurring in less than one in 100,000 births, develop when one foetus remains underdeveloped but remains physically attached to its twin, relying entirely on it for survival. In this extraordinary case, the teenager carried a fully developed extra set of limbs, including legs, buttocks, and external genitalia, sustained by a chest artery. Weighing nearly 15 kilograms, these appendages were more than just a physical burden—they could feel pain, touch, and temperature changes, complicating the medical challenge.
Dr. Asuri Krishna, who led the surgical team, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the procedure. “Only 40 to 50 cases of parasitic twins have been documented in medical literature, and surgeries have typically been attempted on young children. This was the first case of such an operation on a teenager, making it particularly complex,” the BBC Reported
With limited prior research to rely on, the team of specialists, including radiologists, anaesthetists, and plastic surgeons, had to depend on their expertise, intuition, and skill to safely separate the parasitic twin from the host.
The intricate surgery took two-and-a-half hours and was executed in two stages. First, the surgeons carefully detached the parasitic twin, ensuring minimal disruption to the host’s vital organs. Scans revealed that, while the twin was connected to the patient’s breastbone and drawing blood from his chest, it had little interaction with major organs like the liver or kidneys.
A second procedure was then performed to remove a large cystic mass entangled within the patient’s organs. The team meticulously separated the web of shared blood vessels, nerves, and tissues to prevent any damage to the host’s body. During the operation, the patient’s blood pressure dropped alarmingly, as 30-40% of his blood flowed to the parasitic twin. However, the surgeons had anticipated this and quickly stabilized him.
For years, the teenager endured relentless ridicule and ostracization in his hometown of Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The extra limbs drew unwanted attention, leaving him socially isolated and forcing him to drop out of school in the eighth grade.
However, just four days after the surgery, he was discharged, healthy and free from the condition that had defined much of his life. Now, with a new lease on life, he is eager to pursue education and build a future he once thought impossible.
“I hope to study and get a job. A new world has opened up to me,” he shared with the Indian Express, his words brimming with newfound optimism.
