Conjoined Twins to be Separated Soon by UK Surgeons

Surgeons from London have given a ray of hope to the conjoined twins and their family that there is 80% chance of success.

The conjoined twins Veena and Vani have a ray of hope as the surgeons from Great Ormond Street Hospital, London have given 80 percent chance for a successful surgery that would separate them and make it possible for the twins to live normally. The twins born to farm labourers have been living in the Niloufer hospital since 2006.

Dr.K. Ramesh Reddy, professor and head of the department of paediatric surgery at Niloufer Hospital, said, “We had sent our investigation reports to the doctors in London and they had expressed their intention to personally visit and examine the twins. They wanted to discuss the details with the parents and also the officials here. They are positive, but the surgery will be done in London in five stages. The overall duration will be 261 days.”

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease / Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare form of degenerative brain disorder, or brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease of mental function and movement.

David Dunaway, Head of Craniofacial Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK, and hospital’s paediatric neurosurgeon, Noor Ul Owase Jeelani reviewed the condition of the conjoined twins and interacted with their parents.

“We feel that there is a good chance for both of them to get separated safely. There’s no denying the complexity of the whole process, but we already have successfully handled two similar cases in the past,” he said.

Doctors said that the surgery will not be done at one single sitting. “One big surgery is risky as it leads to brain swelling and blood loss. We will plan meticulously and convert one complex surgery into a series of straightforward simple doable surgeries. That’s the beauty of our procedure. There will be five stages and we have to take Veena and Vani to our hospital in UK,” they said.

Dandy Walker Syndrome
Dandy-Walker syndrome is a brain malformation with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure like vomiting, convulsive seizures, unsteadiness and lack of muscle coordination.

Nearly four years ago, they had done a similar surgery on one-year-old conjoined twins from Sudan. “We have seen CT scans and other medical history of Veena and Vani. This is anatomically similar to the Sudan case. We need to do some more tests and prepare 3D models of the brains and vascular system to study sharing of blood between the two,” surgeons said.

The father of the twins said, “In the past, several surgeons came and gave us hope, but never delivered on their promises. Since these surgeons have assured of 80 percent chance of success, we are ready to risk it and give our daughters a chance to lead a normal life.”