When Paul Mukisa was born in Nabigingo, a village in eastern Uganda on May 27th it was clear that he was no ordinary boy – he had been born with four legs and four arms.
(Image: Dr Kakembo Nasser)
After being examined by doctors in Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Paul’s medical team made a diagnosis of ‘parasitic twinning’.
The rare defect happens as a variation on conjoint twinning, when one of the twins does not grow properly. Paul was born with his own full set of arms and legs, along with the pairs from his headless and heartless twin that never fully developed.
At one in 50,000, the chances of conjoint twins being born is very rare, and parasitic twinning even more so.
Further tests indicated other peculiarities is Paul’s physiognomy; instead of being on the left side of his chest, Paul’s heart was on the right. And his liver, which should have been on the right, was on the left. His pelvic bone was also larger than expected.
In August, Paul underwent the operation need to remove his parasitic twin limbs, and a member of the team, Dr Nasser Kakembo, has just revealed these images of Paul and the surgery.
(Image: Dr Kakembo Nasser)
The life-changing surgery has given Paul a new beginning, and helped his parents come to terms with his rare diagnosis.
"The father and mother were very grateful because at first they thought it was due to witchcraft, and their baby was a laughing stock because of the abnormalities," said Dr Kakembo.
Paul is expected to make a full recovery, and lead a normal life – though might have a wider gait due to his pelvic bone.
