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Doctors remove baby's third arm

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Health

(CNN) -- An operation to remove a third arm from a two-month-old Chinese boy has been hailed as a success.

The boy, known only as "Jie-jie," was born in early April with a right arm and two left arms -- one protruding from near his chest.

He underwent a 2 1/2-hour operation to remove one of the left arms Tuesday.

"Thank you to everyone who has shown concern for us," the baby's mother was quoted as saying on state television, according to Reuters.

The baby was resting under post-operation anesthesia and looks "very well," said Dr. Chen Bochang, head of the orthopedics department at Shanghai Children's Medical Center and head surgeon for the operation. He likely will have to remain in the hospital five or 10 days.

Although the boy faces extensive physical therapy and will likely not have full use of his remaining left arm, "I do think he will have a good future," Chen said.

Jie-jie also has only one kidney, the doctor said, but he predicted that will not cause him future problems.

CNN Senior Asia Correspondent Mike Chinoy contributed to this report.

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