Lakshmi returns home after successful operation for extra four limbs

Lakshmi Tatma, a two-year-old girl born with four arms, four legs and extra internal organs, was discharged from a hospital here today, nearly six weeks after doctors removed her extra limbs in a gruelling operation.

Bangalore, Dec 15 : Lakshmi Tatma, a two-year-old girl born with four arms, four legs and extra internal organs, was discharged from a hospital here today, nearly six weeks after doctors removed her extra limbs in a gruelling operation.

The team of around 30 doctors took away what amounted to Lakshmi's headless identical twin sister, who was joined at the pelvis and did not develop and separate properly in the womb.

The rare birth defect is known as "parasitic twin".

Lakshmi went through a 27-hour long surgery at Bangalore's Sparsh Hospital in early November. Besides the removal of the extra limbs, Lakshmi's deformed pelvis and spine were corrected, and redundant extra organs removed, doctors said.

"Fortunately, the surgery went off well. She has recovered adequately. She has had no significant problems during the process of her recovery. She is doing well enough," said Sharan Patil, a doctor who had led the surgery.

The hospital said it did not charge Lakshmi's poor parents for the surgery, which had cost 2.5 million rupees.

"I am happy that my daughter has recovered and is going to lead a normal life. We plan to build a temple in our village as a gesture of thanks to the 'Almighty'," said Shambu, Lakshmi's father, a labourer from Bihar.

Doctors had said that Lakshmi, who could not walk on her deformed limbs, would not have had much chance of surviving past adolescence without undergoing surgery.

Lakshmi will need a "corrective treatment" at a later date, but was being allowed to go home now, doctors said.

ANI