Saudi Medical Team Successfully Separates Conjoined Twins in a Groundbreaking 15-Hour Procedure
In a remarkable medical achievement, the surgical team from the Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins successfully separated Eritrean twins, Asma and Samia, during a complex operation at the King Abdullah Specialized Hospital for Children in the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. The intricate procedure, which lasted for an impressive 15.5 hours, reflects the ongoing commitment of Saudi Arabia to provide advanced medical care and humanitarian assistance.
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, a high-ranking advisor at the Royal Court and the head of the Saudi conjoined twins program, affirmed that this groundbreaking surgery was conducted in alignment with the noble directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The twins, aged two, were united at the head, necessitating a highly skilled surgical approach to ensure their successful separation and recovery.
Dr. Al-Rabiah highlighted the extensive collaboration involved in the operation, which brought together a multidisciplinary team of 36 specialists, including anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and nursing staff. Advanced surgical technologies, such as neuronavigation and surgical microscopes, were employed to facilitate meticulous planning and enhance patient safety throughout the procedure.
This operation marks the 64th undertaken by the Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins, which has benefitted children from 27 countries over more than three decades, providing care for over 149 pairs of twins. Dr. Al-Rabiah expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He noted the medical program’s longstanding success, which demonstrates the high level of expertise and professionalism achieved within the Saudi healthcare system.
In expressing appreciation on behalf of the medical team, Dr. Al-Rabiah extended heartfelt thanks to the Saudi leadership for their limitless support and continuous follow-up, which play a crucial role in the program’s operations. Additionally, he commended the team members for their dedication and expertise, which laid the groundwork for a successful and safe procedure for the twins.
Dr. Mu’tasim Al-Zoubi, a pediatric neurosurgery consultant and head of the pediatric neurosurgery department, provided further insights into the twins’ condition. He reported that comprehensive evaluations revealed the twins shared cranial bones, membranes, veins, and some arteries, making separation more challenging and necessitating a multi-stage surgical approach. The initial surgical operation was followed by three interventional radiological procedures aimed at sealing off the shared blood vessels. Furthermore, pediatric plastic surgery specialists placed tissue expanders under the twins’ skin months prior to the separation, facilitating adequate skin coverage post-surgery.
The family of the twins expressed their heartfelt gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the extraordinary medical assistance provided to their daughters. They praised the Kingdom for its substantial humanitarian efforts and acknowledged the warm hospitality extended to them during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
This successful separation operation not only illustrates the advancements in Saudi medical practices but also underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian support on an international scale. As the Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins continues its vital work, the successful surgery of Asma and Samia stands as a testament to the exceptional capabilities of its medical professionals and the profound impact of compassionate care.
