Kano conjoined twin girls separated in Saudi Arabia

Saudi medical team of 38 specialists, including surgeons, technicians and nursing staff, has successfully separated the Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina Hassan-lsa.

The surgical separation, which lasted 14 hours, was carried out at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The conjoined twin girls survived, the Press Attache to Saudi embassy in Abuja, Mohammed Alsahabi, told The Nation on Friday.

Alsahabi in a statement, said the separation was carried out at the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The story of the conjoined twins touched the hearts of millions across the world, drawing attention for them to be urgently separated.

On Tuesday October 30, 2023, the Saudi Medeval plane, marked: HZ-MS4C, airlifted Hassana and Husaina with their mother and other family members through the Aminu Kano Airport.

On October 31, the conjoined twins, who were barely five days then, arrived in Riyadh.

From there, they underwent comprehensive examinations that revealed shared vital areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine and lower spinal nerves.

According to Alsahabi, the successful separation which began on Thursday morning, “is a result of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of medical professionals.”

“The surgical intervention unfolded in nine planned stages, lasting approximately 14 hours.

“A team comprising 38 consultants, specialists, technicians and nursing staff specialising in anaesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery and pediatric neurosurgery, collaborated seamlessly to ensure the success of this complex operation,” he said in a statement on Friday.

It was gathered the surgical milestone involving Hassana and Husaina is the 60th operation undertaken by the Saudi programme for separating Siamese twins.

The programme has provided care for 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 34 years.

“The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and extending compassionate healthcare on a global scale,” Alsahabi said, describing the operation as a “medical landmark achievement”.

He disclosed that prior to the commencement of the procedure, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Adviser at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, assuring a 70% success rate.

Dr Al Rabeeah extended gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its unwavering support of the programme.

Nation