A Bangladeshi man suffering from a rare skin disorder that caused wart-like lesions, resembling tree branches and bark, to grow from his hands and feet, underwent a successful surgery on February 19.

Last month, Abul Bajandar (25) had attracted worldwide media attention for his unusual condition known medically as Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis, which made people call him the Tree man.

The Daily Star reported that the surgery continued for over three and a half hours at Dhaka Medical College Hospital with a team of nine doctors working to remove the growths.

In the first week of February, the Bangladesh government announced that it will pay for the treatment. 

Bajandar first noticed the symptoms when he cut his knee in his teenage years.

Due to the rare condition, he was ostracized by his employers and neighbours and also lost his job.

It was reported that Bajandar, a rickshaw puller by profession was admitted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital last month.

The Independent reported that Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis is a rare hereditary condition, often causing skin tumours and characterised by an "unusual susceptibility to infection with specific types of human papillomavirus", according to the US National Library of Medicine.  

No serious treatment against EV has been found but several have been suggested, said doctors at the hospital.

Other recognised “tree men” include Romanian Ion Toader and Dede Koswara from Indonesia, reported the Daily Star.