Baby born with 2 spines, 4 legs has successful removal surgery

PARK RIDGE, IL (RNN) - A baby girl born with four legs and feet, as well as an additional spine and other body parts, had a successful surgery and is expected to live a normal life, doctors from Advocate Children's Hospital said Tuesday.

The lifesaving surgery for Dominique, a 10-month-old child from Ivory Coast, was needed to remove a "parasitic twin," according to one of the doctors who spoke. A team of five surgeons and 50 clinicians worked on the surgery.

"It was as if the twin from the waist down had been attached to the back of Dominique's neck," Dr. John Ruge said. "There was a pelvis, a bladder and functional legs that moved and feet coming out of the back of Dominique's neck."

Dominique, who had the surgery March 8, was introduced by Nancy Swabb, the mother of the child's U.S. host family. Dominique waved to the crowd of reporters and onlookers.

Read more: http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/34963100/baby-born-with-2-spines-4-legs-has-successful-removal-surgery