BENGALURU: Six-month-old James and John are back to their playful self after a corrective surgery at Narayana Health City. From Nigeria, the two were conjoined omphalopagus twins, that is they were joined at the upper part of their abdomen. Doctors at Narayana Health City have successfully separated them.

Elaborating on the challenges, Dr Ashley D’Cruz, Director & Senior Consultant, Paediatric Surgeon & Urologist, said, “Separation of conjoined twins calls for a detailed and complex intervention. First, medication had to be calculated and distributed to both babies in an optimum manner for both. Sedation and anaesthesia had to be provided. It was challenging as they lay on their sides and not their backs. Also, due to potential for cross circulation, careful administration of drugs had to be ensured.”

The paediatric surgery team at Narayana Health evaluated their condition. The family had cared for the babies well. Besides detailed clinical examination, detailed imaging studies were also done. All aspects of their anatomy were detailed and a well charted out plan made for the separation operation. Barring liver, all other organs were separate. The liver was carefully divided along anatomical planes and the twins were separated. The babies required use of a mesh to ensure closure of their abdomen and that was also done successfully. Post operation, they have made a rapid recovery, but are also in a position to live independent lives.