First pictures reveal success of life-saving surgery on toddler with eight limbs

Last updated at 14:58 09 November 2007

Doctors in India have successfully operated on a 2-year-old girl born with four arms, four legs and extra internal organs, doctors said today.

A team of around 30 medics removed what amounted to Lakshmi Tatma's headless identical twin sister who was joined at the pelvis and who did not develop and separate properly in the womb - an extremely rare case.

"It went very well," said Mamta Patil, a doctor involved in the surgery at Sparsh Hospital in Bangalore in south India. "She'll be in intensive care for the next 48 hours."

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Recovering: Lakshmi pictured in intensive care today - with just four limbs instead of eight

Lakshmi: Before the operation

The risky operation began yesterday. Lakshmi, named after the four-armed Hindu goddess of wealth, was expected to be in the operating theatre for 40 hours, but the surgery was over after 27.

But doctors said the surgery was worth the risk, saying that Lakshmi, who could not walk on her deformed limbs, would not otherwise have much chance of living past adolescence.

"We have been told that she can lead a normal life after the operation. I am just praying for her," Poonam, Lakshmi's mother, told reporters.

The headless "twin" was joined to Lakshmi at the pelvis and has its own spinal column and kidney.

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Lakshmi's body after the operation - twin-free

Fused: Lakshmi's body was joined with the parasitical twin which is attached to her body at her pelvis

The extraordinary eight-limbed baby was born in a poverty-stricken region of Bihar, India - on the day devoted to the celebration of the four-armed Hindu deity Vishnu.

Her mother Poonam Tatma said she believed her daughter was "a miracle, a reincarnation" of Vishnu.

Torment: Lakshmi could not walk or crawl and was unlikely to survive her teens without surgery

The Hindu god Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation

Dr Sharan Patil, who led the surgery at the country's Narayana Health City, in Bangalore, said: "Fortunately, Lakshmi has one complete body with a near perfect set of organs.

"Her skeletal system involves two bodies which are fused together at the level of the pelvis.

"The operation itself, although presents several challenges, is not the most complex in the world. What is highly unusual in Lakshmi's case is precisely how her bodies are fused, almost mirroring each other."

Parents Poonam Devi and Shambu Das, who earn about 50p a day as casual labourers, were turned away from several hospitals before her plight was taken up by Dr Patil.

The operation was expected to cost about £100,000 - but the hospital said it was covering the cost of the surgery.

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Hope: Lakshmi and mother Poonam prepare for the operation

Poonam, who gave birth to Lakshmi on the celebration day of the four-armed Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity after whom the new born was named, said: "She is a miracle, a special blessing from God. But she is my daughter and she cannot live like this."

Laskhmi is the subject of a Channel 4 documentary as part of the Bodyshocks series.

Besides the removal of the extra limbs, Lakshmi's deformed pelvis and spine were corrected, and redundant extra organs removed, doctors said.

Life-savers: Dr Saharan Patil (third left) with his team of surgeons in Bangalore

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Comments (20)

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below?

To all the doctors and the hospital that made this all possible. How this little angel can live a normal and long life. This child was very blessed.

- Pat, Huntington Beach, CA, USA, 07/11/2007 22:11

CONGRATULATIONS! This little angel did it! God will bless her. I’m so glad she survived. I thought about her yesterday night (one day before the surgery), and its great news to know she is fine. Congratulations to the doctors and all the medical staff, you did a great job! And I’m proud of the father, even if they are humble, they didn't accept to sell this little and beautiful angel to circus people (as they were offered). GOD BLESS THIS LITTLE ANGEL AND HER WHOLE FAMILY!

- Ursula Landazuri, Lima, Peru, 07/11/2007 22:08

All good wishes for Lakshmi and her family.

- Ruth Rochester, Gainsborough England, 06/11/2007 22:40

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