In a remarkable medical procedure, doctors in Delhi have successfully operated on a 17-year-old boy to excise a “parasitic” twin that was connected to his abdomen, marking a significant milestone in surgical intervention.
A parasitic twin is an underdeveloped conjoined twin that depends entirely on the host twin for survival.
Cases of this condition are remarkably uncommon, with fewer than one instance reported for every 100,000 births.
A teenager with a fully developed extra set of limbs and a pelvis, sustained by a chest artery, recently underwent a two-hour surgery at Aiims Hospital in Delhi.
Dr. Asuri Krishna, who headed the team of specialists, noted that the surgery presented significant challenges due to the patient’s advanced age.
Dr Krishna informed the BBC that there had been only 40 to 50 documented instances of parasitic twins in global medical literature, noting that surgical interventions have typically been attempted on children in these cases.
He noted that the team, facing a lack of adequate medical literature, found themselves depending on their “intuition, skill, and knowledge. “
Parasitic twins occur when one foetus partially develops while remaining attached to another, leading to a unique and complex biological phenomenon.
A teenager was found with two fully formed legs, buttocks, and external genitalia, collectively weighing nearly 15 kilogrammes protruding from his abdomen.
The parasitic limbs exhibited the ability to sense pain, touch, and variations in temperature.
Dr. Krishna stated that their initial step was to determine the extent of the interconnection between the parasitic and host twins.
Medical scans revealed that the parasitic twin was connected to the teenager’s breastbone, receiving blood supply from a vessel located in his chest.
“However, there was limited interaction with other major organs such as the liver or kidneys,” Dr. Krishna stated, noting the discovery of a significant cyst in the teenager’s abdomen.
The surgical procedure was conducted in two phases: initially, the removal of the parasitic twin, followed by the extraction of the cystic mass from adjacent organs.
A group of medical professionals, comprising radiologists, anaesthetists, and plastic surgeons, successfully carried out the procedure in two and a half hours.
A complex network of interconnected blood vessels, nerves, and tissues requires careful separation. Dr. Krishna emphasised the importance of ensuring that none of the host’s organs or tissues sustained any damage.
During the surgical procedure, the teenager experienced a critical drop in blood pressure, with 30-40% of his blood being diverted to the parasitic twin. The medical team reported that they were ready for the situation and quickly took action to stabilise him.
A teenager was released from the hospital four days following their admission. According to Dr. Krishna, the patient is healthy and has experienced no complications following the surgery.
The teenager’s distinctive appearance has drawn considerable attention, becoming a focal point for gossip and ridicule among residents in his neighbourhood in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The relentless stares and biting jokes significantly impacted his mental health, resulting in a profound sense of isolation and loneliness.
“I was unable to travel or engage in any physical activities,” he shared with the Indian Express, noting that he had left school after the eighth grade.
A 17-year-old expressed his excitement to the Express, stating that he now aims to embrace a more active lifestyle.
“I aspire to pursue education and secure employment.” “A new world has opened up to me,” he remarked.
