The Dabigal Blog
News

Twins conjoined at the head separated successfully in first-of-its-kind surgery (Photos)

Advertisements

In what an Italian hospital says was a first-of-its-kind operation, two-year-old conjoined twins from birth have successfully been separated.

The twins – Ervina and Prefina – had been joined above the nape of their necks – they were born with a condition the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in Rome described on Tuesday as “one of the rarest and most complex forms of cranial and cerebral fusion,” Agence France-Presse reported.

However, surgeons succeeded in separating the girls and they are doing well. The hospital — whose name translates to Baby Jesus Pediatric Hospital — said it was the first time in Italy and likely the world that surgeons were able to separate twins who shared the back of their skull and its venous system.

The two sisters were brought to Italy in September 2018 from Bangui, Central African Republic, after the hospital’s president met the babies and their mom where they were born, according to AFP.

Medical tests showed the girls to be generally in good health, but one sister’s heart was working harder to maintain the “physiological balance of the organs of both, including the brain,” the outlet reported.

The twins had “distinct” personalities, with Prefina being vivacious and playful while Ervina was more serious and quietly observing, according to the hospital.

The greatest challenge facing doctors was the shared network of blood vessels bringing blood from the girls’ brains to their hearts, the hospital said.

That required “three very delicate operations to progressively reconstruct two independent venous systems,” it added.

On June 5, the twins underwent the final operation, which took 18 hours and included 30 doctors and nurses who worked to divide the bones of the shared skull.

The surgeons then reconstructed the membrane covering the two brains and recreated the skin lining over the girls’ new skulls.

“A month after the final separation, the twins are fine,” said the hospital, which shared a video of a party it threw on June 29 for their second birthday.

In the video, the girls are seen with their heads wrapped in protective bandages as their beaming mum carried them.

The hospital said the girls would have to wear protective helmets for a few months due to the ongoing risk of infection, but their brains were found to be “intact” and they will have the opportunity to “lead a normal life, like all girls of their age.”

Related posts

ASR Africa flags off construction of N1billion in Career Devt And Counselling, Renewable Natural Resources centres at University of Ibadan

Hope Odabi

‘Pay us what you owe’ – Brand calls out BBNaija’s Vee after she severed ties with them (Details)

Hope Odabi

Federal Poly Ilaro student killed for ritual by her side-piece who was paid N2m

Hope Odabi

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More