The Separation Surgery of the Nigerian Conjoined Twins Hassana and Hussaina begins
Date:
29/02/2024
Author:
KSrelief
![image-61](/UploadData/News/202422993648394.jpg)
Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia: 29 February 2024, the
Saudi surgical and multidisciplinary teams began the process of separating
Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Hussaina, in implementation of the
directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and
Prime Minister. The surgery is taking place at the King Abdullah Specialized
Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of the National Guard,
in Riyadh.
Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman
Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and Head of the Surgical and
Multidisciplinary Teams of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, confirmed in a
press release that the Nigerian twins, Hassana and Hussaina, arrived in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 31, 2023. Upon admission to King Abdullah
Specialized Children Hospital, the medical team conducted multiple comprehensive
examinations and held several meetings. They determined that the twins are
conjoined in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves. A
preliminary operation was performed on the twins to separate the spinal canal
in December 2023.. After several meetings, the medical and surgical team
decided to perform the separation surgery today, Thursday.
Dr. Al Rabeeah confirmed that the twins share the lower
colon, the urinary and reproductive systems, the pelvic bone, the lower spinal
canal, and some lower nerves. The operation will be conducted in 9 phases and
will take approximately 14 hours. A team of 40 consultants, specialists,
technicians, and nursing staff specialized in anesthesia, pediatric surgery,
urology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and pediatric neurosurgery will be
involved. Dr. Al Rabeeah explained that the operation to separate the conjoined
twins is complex, with a success rate of 70%. The plan is to separate the twins
and give each one two lower limbs of their own. After the operation, the twins
will be transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for observation and
recovery.
Dr. Al Rabeeah also mentioned that this is the 60th operation
conducted by the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which has provided care for
135 conjoined twins from 25 different countries over a period of 34 years. On
his behalf and on behalf of his fellow members of the medical team, Dr. Al
Rabeeah expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for their
generous support to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme. He also wished for the
twins' speedy recovery and safe return to their country.