In a remarkable medical feat, a team of leading surgeons has successfully separated one-year-old conjoined twins from Pakistan who were attached at the head.
The surgery, which took place at the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital in Turkey, was led by Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon based at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Twins on the Road to Recovery
The twins, Minal and Mirha, are now on the road to recovery, with doctors expressing confidence that they will make a full return to health.
Prof Jeelani confirmed the positive outcome, sharing with Sky News that, “They’re making an excellent recovery, really wonderful.”
The team expects the twins to be well enough to return to their home in Pakistan within weeks.
Complex Procedure Spanning Months
The surgery itself was no ordinary task. It took 14 hours of intensive work and was carried out in two stages over the course of three months.
The complexity was heightened by the fact that Minal and Mirha were conjoined at the front of the head, sharing critical blood vessels and brain tissue.
This made the operation incredibly high-risk, but the surgical team, which included both local and international experts, pulled through with success.
Cutting-Edge Technology: Mixed Reality in Medicine
A key factor in the success of this procedure was the use of advanced technology.
The surgeons utilized Mixed Reality (MR) technology, which allows medical professionals to combine 3D images from scans with the physical world.
This enabled the team to practice the operation in a virtual environment, giving them an edge in precision and preparation.
Prof Jeelani and his team also used this technology to train the medical staff at the Turkish hospital on what to expect during the surgery.
Prof Jeelani: A Pioneer in Pediatric Neurosurgery
This isn’t the first time Prof Jeelani has been at the forefront of life-changing operations.
In 2022, he made headlines for separating three-year-old Brazilian twins, Bernardo and Arthur Lima, in a marathon 27-hour surgery.
Reflecting on that experience, he described being “absolutely shattered” after taking just four short breaks during the entire procedure.
Despite the exhaustion, he shared that witnessing the family’s joy was worth it, as there were “a lot of tears and hugs” when the boys touched hands after their recovery.
A Lifeline for Craniopagus Twins
Prof Jeelani’s charity, Gemini Untwined, plays a pivotal role in these surgeries, raising funds for twins conjoined at the head.
According to the organization’s data, conjoined twins occur in roughly one in 60,000 births, but only 5% are craniopagus, meaning they are fused at the head.
Tragically, the survival rate for twins who remain conjoined is very low, with about 40% not surviving childbirth.
However, operations like the one performed on Minal and Mirha offer hope and a chance at a full life for these rare and complex cases.
Looking Forward
As the twins continue their recovery, the success of this operation marks another milestone in the field of pediatric neurosurgery.
The use of cutting-edge technology combined with the skill of world-class surgeons shows just how far medicine has come in tackling previously insurmountable challenges.
The future looks bright for Minal and Mirha as they prepare to return home, and their journey is a testament to the dedication and innovation driving modern healthcare.
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