By IANS
Bangalore : Two-year-old Lakshmi, who has been separated from her parasitic conjoined twin in a marathon and complicated surgery at a super-specialty hospital here, is safe and progressing well Thursday.
Lakshmi’s parents, Shambhu and Poonam who hail from Araria village from north Bihar, were allowed to spend some time with her in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Sparsh Hospital on the outskirts of city. They were relieved and joyous to see their toddler recovering from Wednesday’s operation.
“For the first time after the 27-hour non-stop operation, Lakshmi not only moved her hands and feet slowly, but also opened eyes. She withstood the surgery and has been recovering well,” hospital chairman and chief orthopedic surgeon Sharan Patil told reporters.
Lakshmi was born with a partially formed twin, giving her four arms, four legs and four kidneys. The long surgery was to remove the extra organs.
Giving an update on Lakshmi’s condition during the last 24 hours, Patil said in the afternoon that the team of doctors that performed the surgery had conducted a series of bio-chemical tests and found her vital parameters functioning normal.
“There is no setback so far. Nothing untoward happened during the night. She is responding well to the post-operation treatment. Her heart beat, BP (blood pressure), pulse and other vital systems are stable.
“Though there is no worry as such, she will be in the ICU for another 24-48 hours under observation. Her parents were allowed to see her again in the afternoon,” Patil disclosed.
Lakshmi will continue to be on ventilator for another day or two to enable her recover fully from the heavy dose of anaesthesia given early Tuesday for the surgery.
The doctors hope that in the next two-three months Lakshmi will be able to walk for the first time since she was born on Diwali day two years ago.
“We plan to shift her to the special ward early next week for nursing and therapy. Her tender body is responding well to the treatment and stabilizing gradually. We are also happy and relieved that everything is going on as planned,” Patil added.