Girl with extra arm on her back undergoes surgery thanks to GMA Kapuso Foundation

A young girl who had an extra arm on her back has successfully undergone surgery thanks to the GMA Kapuso Foundation and their partner doctors.

According to a report on "24 Oras," Monday, the girl, Mika, had the third limb from birth. She had to sleep on her side to avoid pressing on it.

Dr. Beda Espineda, a pediatric surgeon, said that Mika's third arm was caused by a parasitic twin.

"Ibig sabihin, wala namang buhay. May isang parte lang na dumikit," he said. "May problema lang dun sa bone sa vertebra niya, nandun po 'yung spinal cord na nakadikit, pumasok po dun 'yung limb nung parasitic twin."

Doctors were able to remove the limb last week.

"Sa kaso po ni Mika meron pong tinatawag na lipomyelomeningocele o taba na nakapaloob po sa spinal cord. Ang naging challenge po namin ay tanggalin po ito na hindi po tayo magbibigay ng damage sa spinal cord ni Mika," said Dr. Jose Francisco Aguilar, a neurosurgeon.

Mika still needs to undergo a follow-up Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI to check the status of her spinal cord.

For those who want to help Mika, GMA Kapuso Foundation accepts donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News