Eight-limbed Indian toddler stable after surgery

Comments | AFP, November, 2007

BANGALORE, India (AFP) — A two-year-old Indian girl who was born with four arms and four legs is making a good recovery after a marathon operation last week, doctors said Monday.

"She is more or less stable now but her wounds have to heal still," said Sharan Patil, who led the team of surgeons that completed the 27-hour procedure last Wednesday.

Lakshmi, named after the four-armed Hindu goddess of wealth, was born fused to the pelvis of the twin that stopped developing in her mother's womb.

"Infection is still an issue because she is so little," Patil told AFP. "We will decide tomorrow when to move her from the ICU (Intensive Care Unit)."

Lakshmi is cheerful and has been spending time with her father, Shambhu, mother Poonam, and older brother...