RIYADH: Following King Salman’s directives, Yemeni parasitic twins “Aisha and Ahmed” will be the recipients of the 50th separation surgery carried out by Saudi Arabia doctors.

Thursday’s operation will take place at the King Abdullah Specialty Children’s Hospital, King Abdul Aziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs in the capital. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief (KSrelief) Center and a renowned pediatric surgeon, will oversee the operation.

He expected the surgery to last about eight and a half hours. The operation will include eight stages with the participation of 25 doctors and specialists, along with other technicians and nurses.

A parasitic twin is an identical twin that has stopped developing during gestation but is physically attached to the fully developing twin. The fully developed twin is also known as the dominant or autosite twin. 

In this case, Al-Rabeeah said Aisha is a full-grown child with a parasitic twin as they share the pelvic area. In addition to congenital anomalies, the twins also share the lower urinary and reproductive systems.

Over the years, 117 cases from as many as 22 countries have been examined and assessed by the Saudi National Program for Separating Conjoined Twins. This will be the 50th operation performed so far to separate such twins.

Saudi Arabia began operating on separating conjoined twins in 1990.

The previous operation — the medical and surgical team’s 49th — was for twins attached at the chest and abdomen. The complex surgery was a complete success but was not announced based on the parents’ desire to keep the operation private. 

On behalf of the members of the medical and surgical team, Al-Rabeeah thanked King Salman for the great support received by the medical team and the health sector in the Kingdom, as well for the noble humanitarian gestures they provide to the needy.

SPA