In a groundbreaking medical procedure, doctors in Delhi, India, have successfully removed a parasitic twin from a 17-year-old boy, offering him a new lease on life. The rare and complex surgery, performed at Aiims hospital, involved the removal of an underdeveloped twin that was attached to the boy’s abdomen, a condition that occurs in fewer than one in 100,000 births worldwide.
A parasitic twin is an incomplete conjoined twin that does not develop fully and relies entirely on the host twin for survival. In this case, the teenager had an extra set of fully formed limbs and a pelvis, sustained by an artery in his chest. The medical team, led by Dr. Asuri Krishna, faced significant challenges, as most surgeries of this kind are performed on infants rather than teenagers. The lack of extensive medical literature on similar cases required the team to rely on their expertise and intuition.
Parasitic twins develop when one fetus partially forms while attached to the other during gestation. In this rare case, the teenager had two fully developed legs, external genitalia, and buttocks protruding from his abdomen. The additional limbs could even feel sensations such as pain, touch, and changes in temperature, making the case even more unusual.
Before the surgery, the medical team conducted detailed scans to determine the extent of the parasitic twin’s connection to the host body. They discovered that it was attached to the boy’s breastbone and received blood through a vessel in his chest. Fortunately, it had no direct connections to vital organs such as the liver or kidneys, reducing the risk of complications during removal. Additionally, doctors identified a large cystic mass within the teen’s abdomen, further complicating the case.
The surgical procedure was carried out in two stages. The first involved separating and removing the parasitic twin, while the second phase focused on extracting the cystic mass and ensuring no surrounding organs were affected. The team, which included radiologists, anesthetists, and plastic surgeons, completed the complex procedure in two and a half hours. The process required extreme precision, as a delicate network of shared blood vessels, nerves, and tissues had to be carefully detached without harming the host twin.
One of the most critical moments of the surgery came when the teenager’s blood pressure dropped dangerously. Approximately 30-40% of his blood supply was diverted to the parasitic twin, creating a severe risk. However, the medical team was prepared for such an outcome and acted swiftly to stabilize him.
Following the successful surgery, the boy was discharged just four days later with no complications. According to Dr. Krishna, he is now healthy and recovering well. The teenager had previously suffered immense emotional distress due to his condition, often facing ridicule and isolation in his community. His physical appearance made him a subject of gossip, leading to a withdrawal from social activities and even causing him to drop out of school.
Now, with his parasitic twin removed, the 17-year-old is looking forward to a fresh start. He expressed his joy at being able to lead a normal life, stating that he hopes to return to school, pursue a career, and embrace the opportunities that were previously out of reach. For him, this surgery has opened up a world of possibilities, allowing him to envision a future without the burden that once defined his existence.
