Indian Surgeons Successfully Remove Rare 'Parasitic Twin' from Teenager

Surgeons at a hospital in Delhi have performed a rare two-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove a parasitic twin from a 17-year-old boy's abdomen. The operation, led by Dr. Asuri Krishna, involved separating interconnected blood vessels and tissues, and the teenager is now on the path to leading a normal life after years of ridicule and isolation.

Doctors in New Delhi have achieved a remarkable medical feat by successfully removing a "parasitic twin" from a 17-year-old boy. The surgery, deemed life-altering, took place at Aiims hospital, where a specialized team tackled the complexity of the operation.

Parasitic twins, which are severely underdeveloped conjoined twins that depend on their host for survival, are incredibly rare - with an incidence of less than one in 100,000 births. The teenager in question had a fully formed extra set of limbs, a pelvis, and other body parts that contributed to a significant weight gain of nearly 15 kilograms, all protruding from his abdomen.

Dr. Asuri Krishna, who led the surgical team, explained the challenges presented by the patient's age as only a handful of surgeries for parasitic twins have been recorded in medical literature, primarily focused on younger children. In light of the limited guidance available, the surgical team relied heavily on their expertise and intuition.

The formation of parasitic twins occurs when one fetus partially develops while being connected to another. In this case, the doctors determined that the parasitic twin was connected to the host's breastbone and received blood through a vessel from the teen's chest. However, there was minimal connection with major organs like the liver or kidneys.

The operation spanned two stages: first, the extraction of the parasitic twin, followed by the removal of a large cyst discovered in the abdomen. A diverse team—including radiologists, anaesthetists, and plastic surgeons—collaborated to separate the complex intermingled blood vessels, nerves, and tissues while ensuring the safety of the host twin's organs.

Challenges arose during surgery when the host's blood pressure dropped sharply, as approximately 30-40% of his blood was redirected to the parasitic twin. However, the medical team was well-prepared and quickly stabilized the situation.

Post-surgery, the teenager was discharged just four days after the procedure, and he is reportedly in good health, with no complications arising from the operation. Previously, the boy faced ridicule and isolation due to his unusual appearance, leading to detrimental effects on his mental well-being and prompting him to drop out of school.

Now, with a new perspective on life, the 17-year-old expressed his excitement about the future, stating, "I hope to study and get a job. A new world has opened up to me."