A four-legged girl has undergone a successful operation at a hospital in Ghana. Her mother was terrified and depressed when she gave birth to her.
The girl, who we will call Adepa, has a rare condition called polymelia. She was born with extra limbs, pelvises, and genitals because she was part of an incomplete twin.
Her mother said she was afraid to touch her baby and cried every day. She felt depressed and could not bond with her.
She and her baby stayed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, for seven months. They were monitored by doctors who decided to perform surgery on Adepa.
Dr Konadu Yeboah, a senior specialist in orthopaedic surgery at KATH, said this was the first case he had ever seen in his profession. He said this condition was more common in animals like pigs and chickens than in humans.
He and a team of paediatric and orthopaedic surgeons operated on Adepa for five and a half hours. They removed the extra limbs and organs and reconstructed her body.
Her mother was overjoyed to see her daughter after the surgery. She said she now loves to hold her and cuddle her. She also advised other mothers who have children with disabilities to seek medical help and not reject them.
The surgeons were happy with the outcome of the surgery. They said it was very rewarding to see Adepa’s transformation. They also urged parents not to abandon their children who are born with deformities.
