Operation on baby goes well

Operation on baby goes well

JAKARTA (JP): A team of 40 doctors and paramedics at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung, West Java, has successfully operated on a baby girl born with four feet and other deformities, Antara reported yesterday.

The operation on Ely Mulyani, born March 6 in Garut, was conducted in two stages: a team of orthopedists first amputated two feet protruding from her behind; pediatricians then constructed an artificial anus at the baby's stomach.

The operation lasted four and a half hours. Ely is the fourth daughter of Undang Rustandi (27) and Wiwin (24), both Garut residents.

Chief surgeon Azhali said yesterday's operation was the first of a three-stage surgery; the second stage is to be conducted within the next six months, and the final stage two months afterward.

Azhali said the second operation would separate Ely's genitalia from her rectum, and the final stage would close the artificial anus.

Members of the medical team performing yesterday's surgery included orthopedists Rizal Chaidir and Fachry A. Tanjung, and pediatricians Chairul Ismael and Bustanul.

Ely is now in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The director of the Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Rachman Maas, said the hospital would pay for the surgery and post-operative treatment, which could amount to tens of millions of rupiah. (aan)