Doctors at southern India’s AIIMS successfully remove rare human tail from 3-month-old boy
by Aditi VermaIn a groundbreaking medical procedure, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in southern India’s Telangana, successfully removed a rare 15-centimeter human tail from a three-month-old male infant.
The incident took place at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bibinagar located in the Yadadri-Bhongir district in January 2024.
Visuals showed a three-month-old infant had a long tail protruding from the upper part of his hips. Following a meticulous surgery, doctors successfully removed the tail. After the procedure, there was no visible indication that the tail had ever existed, leaving the area looking completely normal.
The infant, hailing from a district in Telangana, was diagnosed with a rare congenital malformation where a tail-like structure protruded from the lumbosacral region of his spine. Additionally, the child had associated occult spinal dysraphism from S1 to S5 vertebrae and an anchored spinal cord syndrome, conditions posing a high risk of neurological deficits.
The meticulous surgery, which lasted two and a half hours, was performed by a team of three doctors in January 2024. During the procedure, the team reconstructed the child’s spinal canal and carefully dissected a spina bifida connected to the spinal cord, ensuring no neurological problems would arise post-surgery.
Dr. Panda emphasized the complexity of the operation, noting the potential for neurological complications. However, the surgery was a success, with the infant experiencing an uneventful postoperative recovery. The boy was discharged just five days after the procedure, with follow-up checks confirming no neurological deficits and excellent wound healing six months later.
This rare and successful surgery adds to the limited number of such cases worldwide, showcasing the advanced medical capabilities of AIIMS Bibinagar. Dr. Panda assured that the child faces no future complications, marking a hopeful outcome for similar cases in the future.
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