Leg amputation saved baby boy's life
Surgeons at the Royal Children’s Hospital have had no choice but to amputate the leg of a newborn to save his life.
Baby Sebastian’s parents, who lost his twin at the same time, say they feel lucky to have him in their lives.
Melissa Wilkins said the loss of a limb will not stop her son living a full and happy life.
“He’s going to be fine; he won’t know any different,” Ms Wilkins told Seven News reporter Karen O'Sullivan.
“He’s already rolling.”
Sebastian’s brother, Zachari, died before the twins were born prematurely at just 27 weeks.
Ms Wilkins described Sebastian's arrival as a happy occasion, but tinged with sadness at the devastating loss of his brother.
"It made me very happy and very sad at the same time," she said.
Sebastian still had his own battle with chronic lung disease, heart problems and life-threatening complications to his left leg.
Doctors had to move quickly and at just four days, the decision was made to amputate his limb.
Dr Rod Hunt described the situation as ‘incredibly rare’.
“It’s not something we see in this hospital commonly,” he said.
A serious infection set into Sebastian’s leg and a second emergency surgery was performed to complete the amputation.
“I was afraid he was going to die,” said Ms Wilkins.
“It was done without anaesthetic, it wasn’t in a theatre, and it was all quite hurried.”
Thankfully, the infant had no feeling in his leg at the time.
Dr Rod Hunt said: “The best course of action for Sebastian and the thing that saved his life ultimately was the removal of that residual left leg.”
Sebastian spent 13 weeks recovering in intensive care after a successful operation.
In a few months, he may become the youngest baby to be fitted with a prosthetic limb – just in time for him to learn how to walk.
Ms Wilkins said she feels very blessed to have him.
“He’s a miracle baby,” she said.
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