Phase II Surgery of Conjoined Twins Begins at AIIMS

The second phase surgery to separate 28-month-old conjoined twins Jaga and Kalia of Kandhamal, Odisha at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

A team of about 30 specialized and experienced doctors from the institutes of neurosurgery, neuro-anesthesia, and plastic surgery departments is operating.

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The twins were fused from the abdomen to the pelvis and were transferred to the French Medical Institute for Children, co-run by medical charity Chain of Hope.

‘Craniopagus twins are conjoined twins, where their heads are fused at the cranium and affects 1 in 30 lakh children.’

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"No experts from abroad are involved in the procedure. The twins were shifted to the operation theatre at 6 am. The surgery began at 9 am and is expected to last for over 25 to 27 hours," said a senior doctor at the AIIMS.

The twins hail from Milipada village, which is under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district, Odisha.

The heads are joined in craniopagus conjoined twins, which is a very rare condition.

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On August 28th, the first phase of the surgery was performed. The doctors created venous bypass and separated the veins, which were shared by the babies.

Pratap Jena, Odisha's Health and Family Welfare minister stated, "We had suggested to the AIIMS authorities to engage experts from across the world in the operation process if needed. The Odisha government is ready to bear the expenses of the foreign doctors. We hope things will go well with the blessings of Lord Jagannath."

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The conjoined twins had two heads, two hands and two legs like any normal baby. But, inside she had two hearts, two sets of lungs and shared pelvic organs.

Bhuyan Kanhar who is the father of the twins said that the surgery is being done because Jaga’s condition is deteriorating. The twins were admitted in AIIMS on the 13th of July.

About Rs. One crore was sanctioned for the treatment of the twins by the Odisha government from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund (CMRF).

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Dr. A K Mahapatra, chief of the neurosciences center said that this condition affects 1 in 30 lakh children and approximately 50 percent of them die either at birth or within 24 hours.

The surgery is practically possible only on 25 percent of the survivors, while the rest of them will have to live it.

He also said that such operations are quite challenging and the chances of survival are less than 20 percent.

Source-Medindia