The world's tallest woman is getting a new lease on life after surgery to remove the tumor that was causing her massive growth.
Siddiqa Parveen, 28, is estimated to be 7 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 286 pounds because of a tumor on her pituitary gland that is producing excess growth hormone.
As a result of her massive size, Parveen's spine was on the verge of breaking, doctors said. The tumor also puts her at risk of going blind, the Mirror reported.
Numerous fractures on her spine have left Parveen unable to stand up for years. That is why Guinness World Records has been unable to confirm her exact height. The previous record holder, 7-foot, 7-inch Yao Defen, died in November, 2012.
In order to have the tumor removed, Parveen had to travel more than 1,000 miles from her small village in West Bengal to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.
Neurosurgeons removed the tumor by inserting an endoscope through her nostrils, but the surgery was complicated by Parveen's large head, according to Dr. PK Bithal, head of neuroanesthesiology.
"Her head size was enlarged, which made access of the tumor with our instruments, like endoscopes, extremely difficult," he said, the Indian Express reported. "Anaesthetising her would be a problem with her head size, since we did not have endotracheal tubes of her head size, and she had difficulty lying down with the multiple fractures in her spine."
Finding an operating table big enough for Parveen was challenging as well. Doctors found the biggest one and attached additional trolleys to it.
The tumor was removed successfully, but Parveen is just at the beginning of a long healing process, according to endocrinologist Dr. Nikhil Tandon.
"She still stoops while walking due to the spinal fracture for which she will require additional treatment," Tandon told India Today.
The procedure was successful and, after being in the ICU for a few days, Siddiqa has now been shifted to the ward.
"She still stoops while walking due to the spinal fracture for which she will require additional treatment," Tandon said.
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