Yemeni Conjoined Twins Separated In Careful Operation

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Head of the Surgical and Multidisciplinary Team for the Saudi ConjoinedTwins Program, announced today the successful separation surgery of the Yemeni parasitic twin “Aisha Ahmad Saeed Mahamod”. The surgery that took place at the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs in Riyadh, was made possible by the generosity of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. All medical care, transportation and accommodation costs for the baby and her family are covered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Al Rabeeah stated that the complex eight-phase procedure lasted about 8 ½ hours and included 25 doctors and specialists that participated, in addition to numerous technicians and nursing staff.

He then explained that the procedure began with the anesthesia team, which was led by Dr.Nezar Al Zughaibi. Baby Aisha was sedated, and necessary tubes were inserted to ensure the accuratemonitoring of her condition during the surgery. The second phase was led by the head of the pediatric urology team, Dr.Fayez Al Modhen, who performed a diagnostic endoscopy of the girl’s urinary and reproductive systems. The third phase involved sterilization and preparation of the surgical sites.

The plastic surgery team, led by Dr. Obaid Al Mishail, began the fourth phase with the opening and preparation of the skin and membranes from the parasitic limbs to help cover the void after separation.

The pediatric orthopedic team led by Dr. Ayman Al Jawadi participated in the fifth phase to separate the pelvis and parasitic limbs and modify the pelvis. Then the pediatric urology team returned to complete the sixth phase to separate and reconstruct the urogenital system, followed by the seventh phase to examine the intestines and to create a temporary stoma; this phase was conducted by a pediatric surgery team led by Dr. Mohammed AlNamshan.

In the eighth phase, all the members of the surgical team participated in the reconstruction and closure. Following the operation, baby Aisha was transferred to the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for monitoring and follow-up.

Dr. Al Rabeeah stated that the surgery was the fiftieth successful separation conducted by the surgical team as part of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has been treating these special children since 1990 – a period of more than three decades. A total of 117 cases have been reviewed by the team from 22 countries across three continents.

Dr. Al Rabeeah further explained that this important national program is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and with the additional support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program embodies Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to promote advancement in the Kingdom of medical excellence and humanitarian service.

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