Agartala, January 20, 2026: In a remarkable medical feat, doctors at Tripura Medical College (TMC) successfully operated on a seven-month-old infant suffering from one of the rarest congenital anomalies known to science. The surgery, conducted on January 13, has left the child healthy and ready for discharge within the next few days, hospital authorities confirmed.

The condition, medically termed fetus in fetu, occurs when a malformed parasitic twin develops inside the body of its host twin. Globally, only about 200 such cases have been documented, with an estimated incidence of one in five lakh live births, said Prof Jayanta Poddar, Medical Superintendent of TMC.

Paediatric surgeon Dr. Aniruddha Basak, who led the operation, explained that the infant had been referred from IGM Hospital after recurrent urinary tract infections. “Ultrasonography and CT scans revealed a large tumour-like mass near the right kidney. Surgical removal was the only option,” he said.

The critical procedure involved carefully dissecting and removing the abnormal mass intact, given the proximity of vital organs. Postoperative pathological tests confirmed the presence of a malformed twin with rudimentary structures including an umbilical cord, spinal cord, and partially formed head and limbs.

Dr. Basak noted that the anomaly had gone undetected in pre-surgery investigations. “The mother had conceived twins, but one failed to develop normally and remained enclosed within the other,” he added.

Highlighting the institution’s growing expertise, Dr. Nandan Sarkar, OSD of Tripura Medical College Society, said the hospital has successfully handled several rare surgeries in recent years. “We want patients to know that advanced treatment is available within the state,” he said.

The infant Bishanka Das born to Biprajit Das and Bineeta Debbarma is now recovering well. The parents expressed gratitude to the surgical team led by Dr. Basak, assisted by Dr. Ankan and Dr. Dipannita, and thanked the TMC authorities for their support.