Little Girl Born with Eight Limbs
GUPTA: We're back with HOUSE CALL. You know, for months, I followed the story of a baby born with eight limbs. Recently with pioneering surgery, doctors removed the extra limbs. I received frequent updates from the surgeon and got a rare glimpse into this little girl's transformation.</s>GUPTA (voice-over): Like the goddess she was named for, Lakshmi Tatma had eight limbs when she was born in India's Bihar region back in 2005. In fact, villagers there believed she was the goddess reincarnated. Word spread to India's renowned surgeon Dr. Sharan Patil.</s>SHARAN PATIL, DR., ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON: In spite of whatever beliefs, as a medical man, I certainly thought she needs help.</s>GUPTA: Dr. Patil examined Lakshmi and recommended surgery to remove her extra limbs, even though it was a high risk operation.</s>PATIL: Amazing. First time I've seen anything like this.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There we go.</s>GUPTA: Tests revealed the heart, liver and lungs, just one working kidney. Another would be transplanted from the parasite.</s>PATIL: One of the cases here, other functioning kidneys located here.</s>GUPTA: The twins were also fused at the spine. They'd need to rebuild her pelvis. An agonizing moment as Lakshmi goes into surgery. A team of 30 doctors had prepped for a month. At 16 hours in, a critical milestone.</s>PATIL: The parasite is off.</s>GUPTA: After 27 hours, Lakshmi with two arms and two legs is transformed.</s>THMAPPA HEGDE, DR., SENIOR NEUROSURGEON: The hero in this whole story is Lakshmi.</s>GUPTA: Today, Lakshmi recuperates at a facility in Rajistan and still needs work on her spinal cord and clubbed feet, but doctors say her progress is remarkable.</s>PATIL: I see her growing up as a normal girl.</s>GUPTA: What a great story. All of Lakshmi's organs are functioning properly. And doctors are hopeful she will be able to one day have a child of her own. We'd like to thank CNN's team of journalists around the world who covered this operation and also National Geographic. "The Girl with Eight Limbs," premieres Sunday, June 22nd at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on the National Geographic Channel. Coming up, vaccines and your children. Tips for working with your doctor to find out what works for you and your child. Stay with us.