Surgical Separation of Conjoined Twins Completed at SUMS Namazi Hospital
Surgical Separation of Conjoined Twins Completed at SUMS Namazi Hospital
Surgical Separation of Conjoined Twins Completed at SUMS Namazi Hospital
Seven months following the initial phase of a separation surgery on a set of conjoined twins, the conclusive stage was successfully executed at SUMS Namazi Hospital. The initial surgery involved the separation of livers, while the final procedure focused on separating other connected organs, ultimately resulting in the successful separation of the twin sisters' bodies.
Dr. Ali Bahador, leading the surgical team, pointed that the sisters were admitted to the hospital at three months old. He highlighted a major abdominal junction with conjoined liver, pancreas, duodenum and small intestine. The sisters’ young age and the degree of fusion made it too early for a comprehensive surgery. Upon careful assessment of the fused organs, it was determined that the operation will be conducted in two stages.
Spanning ten hours, the second stage was attended by a team of specialized pediatric surgeons, PICU specialists, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals and nurses. Dr. Mehdi Forooghi, a pediatric surgeon and team member, shared that one of the twins underwent Whipple surgery to facilitate the separation process. He emphasized the ongoing monitoring of post-surgical treatments in light of the necessity of reconstructing one baby's abdominal wall.
Conjoined twinning occurs in one in 50,000-100,000 births, and is believed to result from incomplete splitting of a fertilized egg into two separate embryos. Dr. Bahador stressed the complexity of the recent surgery, labeling it as the most intricate procedure of its kind in Iran. “With three cases of success, Shiraz stands out as the leading city in the country to perform this complex surgery” he added. In conclusion, he commended the unwavering dedication of the surgical team and expressed optimism that both sisters would be discharged shortly.