Doctors put eight-limbed Indian girl on show after surgery

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

BANGALORE, India (AFP) — A two-year-old Indian girl born with four arms and four legs was paraded before the cameras here Tuesday, nearly a week after a marathon operation to remove her extra limbs.

Lakshmi's first public appearance since the surgery was completed last Wednesday prompted several prominent doctors to cry foul, saying the child had been put at risk so the hospital could get what one called "cheap publicity".

Bundled in a blanket and cradled in her father Shambhu's arms, Lakshmi was brought out of the intensive care unit -- and greeted by a pack of reporters, photographers and television crews at Bangalore's Sparsh Hospital.

"I request everybody -- please don't rush on to her," pleaded Sharan Patil, the surgeon who led the team of 36 medics...