Chinese surgical experts on Tuesday successfully removed an abnormal third arm of a two-month-old baby boy in Shanghai.

According to Chen Bochang, chief surgeon at the Shanghai Children's Medical Center who carried out the complicated surgery, the operation was very successful.

The operation of the baby, from east China's Anhui Province, was unique because both left arms were well formed but neither was fully functional, giving doctors pause over which one to operate on.

He is now in a pretty good condition although he still needs a longer period to get fully recovered," Chen said after the three-hour operation.

Babies who are born with an additional limb usually have one much more developed than the other on that side. The baby's case has a rate of incidence of about one in two million, according to Chen.

Chen opted to remove the arm that was smaller and lay bent close to the body. "The arm closest to the body was very bent and the hand was closed in a fist that could not be opened," said Chen.

Despite the apparent success, Chen said the boy would likely need a long time of rehabilitation to make his arm function properly and be like a normal arm," Chen said.

The remaining left arm is normally shaped but does not move unless it is pulled, and does not have a palm, according to Chen.

The boy also has just one kidney and may develop problems that could lead to curvature of the spine, Chen said.

The boy was born at a small hospital Liu'an City, but was transferred to Shanghai, where more modern medical facilities are available.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2006)