A medical team in Saudi Arabia has successfully separated conjoined Nigerian twins, Hassana and Huseina.
The Saudi Arabian embassy in Nigeria announced this in a statement on Friday.
“The procedure, which began on Thursday morning, marked the culmination of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of medical professionals.
“The twins, who arrived in Riyadh on October 31, 2023, underwent comprehensive examinations that revealed shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves,” embassy spokesperson Mohammed Alsahabi wrote.
Read the full statement below.
SAUDI ARABIA MEDICAL TEAM SUCCESSFULLY SEPARATES NIGERIAN CONJOINED TWINS
In a landmark medical achievement, a Saudi medical and surgical team, following the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has successfully completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina, at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
The procedure, which began on Thursday morning, marked the culmination of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of medical professionals. The twins, who arrived in Riyadh on October 31, 2023, underwent comprehensive examinations that revealed shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves.
The surgical intervention unfolded in nine planned stages, lasting approximately 14 hours. A team comprising 38 consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff specializing in anaesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, and pediatric neurosurgery collaborated seamlessly to ensure the success of this complex operation.
This surgical milestone marked the 60th operation undertaken by the Saudi program for separating Siamese twins, a program that has provided care for 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 34 years.
Prior to the commencement of the procedure, Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, noting a 70 per cent success rate.
Dr. Al Rabeeah extended heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for its unwavering support of the program. The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and extending compassionate healthcare on a global scale.
Mohammed Alsahabi
Press Attache at Saudi embassy in Abuja