Doctors across the world, and everybody else, have been amazed at how a new-born baby has survived with a heart outside his body.
AIIMS doctors operated the baby successfully, however, they're keeping their fingers crossed and waiting till Saturday to see if the baby survives a literal open heart surgery.
The baby was born with his heart protruding from his chest. Less than eight in million births have this, and none has survived more than three days.
"The surgery started from 9 am and finished at 12.30 pm. The heart was successfully put inside the chest cavity at the first go," said Dr Y K Gupta.
It has been a tough journey of survival for the 10-day-old, the son of daily wagers. He travelled from Bihar to Delhi with nothing much more than a muslin cloth to cover exposed heart. The journey made his condition even more delicate.
"The blood had to be pumped out from the entire body and replaced with fresh blood twice," said Dr Gupta.
The surgeons aren't willing to comment on his chances of survival, but he will be monitored for weeks if not months. The tiny infant's body has to get used to the organs being re-arranged.
The doctors may have termed the surgery a success, but the next 48 hours of post-operation care is crucial, as the baby has been born without a gland which makes him very susceptible to infection.
