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Russian medics conduct surgery to separate fingers of ‘butterfly’ patient

Patients with Epidermolysis bullosa are often called ‘butterfly people’ as their skin is said to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wings

© Viktor Drachev/TASS

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Medics of the Russian Emergencies Ministry have performed a unique surgery to separate fingers of a ‘butterfly’ patient, the ministry’s press service told TASS on Thursday.

"The unique surgery was conducted at the All-Russia Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine," the press service said.

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Such surgery was performed in Russia for the first time on a patient suffering from Epidermolysis bullosa, a group of inherited connective tissue diseases that cause blisters in the skin and mucosal membrane.

Patients with Epidermolysis bullosa are often called ‘butterfly people’ as their skin is said to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. The disease often causes fingers and toes to fuse together.

"The surgery helps to restore the functioning and appearance of fingers," the press service said.

The St.Petersburg-based Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine is the only hospital in Russia that offers all the necessary treatment to adult patients with Epidermolysis bullosa.

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