Doctors Successfully Remove Rare Parasitic Twin from 17-Year-Old Boy

Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi executed a rare and life-changing surgery on a 17-year-old boy from a remote village in Uttar Pradesh. The condition, where a parasitic twin is attached to a normally developing twin, is extremely uncommon, occurring in roughly one out of every 100,000 births. In this instance, the parasitic twin had partially developed, presenting with fully formed legs, buttocks, and visible external genitalia, all connected to the boy’s body in a way that allowed him to experience sensations such as pain and temperature changes.

The surgical team, led by Dr. Asuri Krishna, faced several unprecedented challenges due to the limited number of similar documented cases. Detailed imaging and meticulous planning were pivotal as scans revealed that the abnormal limb was attached to the host's breastbone and received blood from a chest vessel without significant involvement of vital organs like the liver or kidneys. Additionally, doctors discovered a cyst in the teenager’s abdomen, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

first, the removal of the parasitic limb required careful dissection of intertwined blood vessels, nerves, and tissues; second, the cyst was excised from its connection with the abdominal wall, bowel, and liver. Despite a dangerous drop in blood pressure when a significant proportion of blood was diverted to the parasitic twin, the team was alert and quickly stabilized the patient, ensuring his safety throughout the operation.

Post-surgery, the young patient expressed a newfound sense of hope and possibility, excited at the prospect of being able to travel, engage in physical activities, and pursue education and employment without the previous restrictions of his condition. With a successful outcome and a speedy recovery that saw him walking out of the hospital just a few days later, this extraordinary case stands as a testament to the combined strength of medical expertise and teamwork in transforming lives.