The Separation Surgery of the Nigerian Conjoined Twins Hassana and Hussaina begins

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 29 February 2024, the Saudi surgical and multidisciplinary teams began the process of separating Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Hussaina, in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The surgery is taking place at the King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of the National Guard, in Riyadh.

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and Head of the Surgical and Multidisciplinary Teams of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, confirmed in a press release that the Nigerian twins, Hassana and Hussaina, arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 31, 2023. Upon admission to King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital, the medical team conducted multiple comprehensive examinations and held several meetings. They determined that the twins are conjoined in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves. A preliminary operation was performed on the twins to separate the spinal canal in December 2023.. After several meetings, the medical and surgical team decided to perform the separation surgery today, Thursday.

Dr. Al Rabeeah confirmed that the twins share the lower colon, the urinary and reproductive systems, the pelvic bone, the lower spinal canal, and some lower nerves. The operation will be conducted in 9 phases and will take approximately 14 hours. A team of 40 consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff specialized in anesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and pediatric neurosurgery will be involved. Dr. Al Rabeeah explained that the operation to separate the conjoined twins is complex, with a success rate of 70%. The plan is to separate the twins and give each one two lower limbs of their own. After the operation, the twins will be transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for observation and recovery.

Dr. Al Rabeeah also mentioned that this is the 60th operation conducted by the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which has provided care for 135 conjoined twins from 25 different countries over a period of 34 years. On his behalf and on behalf of his fellow members of the medical team, Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for their generous support to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme. He also wished for the twins' speedy recovery and safe return to their country.