Riyadh:The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has reached a significant medical milestone by successfully separating Fijian conjoined twins, Jasepeli and Desicia, after a 12-hour and 45-minute operation at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital in Riyadh. This procedure marks the first conjoined twin separation for twins from Fiji and is the 74th operation by the program.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, the head of the medical and surgical team, emphasized the collaborative efforts of 34 consultants, specialists, and technical and nursing staff from various fields, including anesthesiology, pediatric surgery, and plastic surgery, among others. The twins were conjoined at the abdomen and pelvis, sharing several organs and systems, which required a complex nine-stage operation.
Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted that the success of this operation underscores Saudi Arabia's global leadership in handling intricate medical cases, a reputation built over 35 years of the program's existence. The program has assessed 159 cases worldwide, covering 28 countries across five continents. The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program is recognized for its humanitarian vision and advanced medical capabilities, offering hope to families with conjoined twins.
Gratitude was expressed by Dr. Al Rabeeah to the Saudi leadership, including King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their unwavering support, which has positioned Saudi Arabia as a global leader in this specialized medical field. The twins' family also extended their thanks to the Saudi medical team for the successful operation and the care provided.