A Medical Miracle in Agartala: Fetus in Fetu Extracted from Baby by TMC Doctors
Agartala Jan 19: Tripura Medical College (TMC) has scripted a medical miracle in Agartala in treating an infant suffering from a rare birth-disorder.
In a notable medical achievement, the pediatric surgery department of the TMC successfully treated an extraordinarily uncommon birth anomaly in a seven-month-old infant.
Following the complex procedure conducted on January 13, the child has achieved a complete recovery and is scheduled for discharge within the week.
A Global Rarity in Medical Science
The infant was diagnosed with a condition known as fetus in fetu, a phenomenon that occurs when an underdeveloped, non-viable twin becomes trapped inside the body of its normally developing sibling.
According to TMC Medical Superintendent Prof. Jayanta Poddar, this is one of the most infrequent conditions in medicine, with only about 200 cases ever documented worldwide.
The statistical probability of such an occurrence is estimated at approximately one in every 500,000 live births.
In this particular instance, the anomaly remained hidden during standard pre-surgical imaging and was only identified through a rigorous pathological study conducted after the mass was removed.
Precision and Discovery in the Operating Theater
The patient, Bishanka Das (seven months old), was referred to TMC from Agartala IGM Hospital following recurring urinary tract infections.
Diagnostic tests, including CT scans and ultrasonography, initially pointed toward a large tumor-like growth situated near the right kidney.
Given the potential dangers, the surgical team, led by pediatric surgeon Dr. Aniruddha Basak, determined that immediate intervention was the only viable path.
Operating on a seven-month-old presented immense technical challenges. Dr. Basak explained that the team had to meticulously detach the mass to avoid harming essential surrounding organs.
Upon extraction and subsequent analysis, the medical team was surprised to find that the growth contained a rudimentary spinal cord, head, neck, and umbilical cord.
These findings confirmed that the mother had originally conceived twins, but one had failed to develop, becoming enclosed within the other.
Advancing Healthcare Excellence in Tripura
This successful operation is being highlighted as a major indicator of the growing surgical expertise available within the state.
Nandan Sarkar, OSD of the Tripura Medical College (TMC) Society, emphasized that the institution is increasingly capable of performing high-complexity surgeries that previously might have required travel to distant cities.
The hospital administration views this achievement as a step toward building greater public confidence in the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
“By providing advanced treatments locally, TMC aims to ensure that families can receive specialized care without the burden of seeking medical help outside of Tripura”, TMC authority asserted.
Gratitude from the Family
The parents, Biprajit Das and Bineeta Debbarma, expressed their sincere thanks to Dr. Basak and his assistants, including Dr. Ankan and Dr. Dipawnita.
They credited the entire TMC administration for the successful outcome and the attentive care their son received during his stay.