Adviser at the Royal Court, General Supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and head of the medical and surgical team in charge of the conjoined twin separation surgery, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, announced on Friday the successful separation of the Yemeni parasitic twin Aisha Ahmed Saeed Muhaimud from the Al-Mahra Governorate.
The operation was performed on Friday in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, at the National Guard’s King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh's King Abdulaziz Medical City.
Dr. Al-Rabiah expressed his happiness with this achievement and the success of the surgery in record time, revealing that the team was able to finish the operation 45 minutes ahead of schedule. He added that the operation lasted seven hours and 45 minutes, and included eight stages. Twenty-five doctors and specialists took part, as well as technicians and nurses.
Dr. Al-Rabiah said the operation began with the anesthesia stage, which saw the team led by Dr. Nizar Al-Zughaibi administer medications to the patient and follow it with the insertion of respiratory, venous and arterial tubes to ensure an accurate awareness of all parameters. This was followed by the second stage in which the urology team, led by Dr. Fayez Al-Madhhan, performed diagnostic endoscopy of the urinary and reproductive system. The third stage consisted in the sterilization and preparation of the sites to be operated on.
The fourth stage began with the plastic surgery team led, by Dr. Obaid Al-Mishal, opening the skin and membranes and separating them from the parasitic limbs in order to use them in covering the void left by the surgery, added Dr. Al-Rabiah.
The fifth stage, led by Dr. Ayman Jawadi's pediatric orthopedic team, consisted of separating the pelvis and parasitic limbs and modifying the pelvis, he continued.
The sixth stage saw the return of the pediatric urology team which separated and restored the shared parts of the lower urinary and reproductive system. This was followed by the seventh stage in which the intestines were explored for an opening, and the temporary removal of the colon by the pediatric surgery team, led by Dr. Muhammad Al-Namshan.
Dr. Al-Rabiah noted the participation of most surgical teams in the eighth and last stage, which consisted of reconstruction and the closing of any gaps resulting from the separation procedure. Eventually, all wounds were covered, and Aisha was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Dr. Al-Rabiah asked God to grant Aisha continued health and wellness, and added that the medical team was able to wake her up after the surgery and remove the artificial respirators. This enabled her to interact with the medical team and smile in gratitude to the Kingdom's generous leadership and people.
According to Dr. Al-Rabiah, this surgery constitutes the 50th national achievement of the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Program, which has handled 117 cases from 22 countries in the past three decades.
He highlighted the tremendous support offered to this program by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the constant endorsement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. This support confirms Saudi Arabia's great advancement in health and scientific research in line with Vision 2030.
Dr. Al-Rabiah expressed his appreciation and gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed for their support and for the Kingdom's great humanitarian outreach. He also praised the efforts and experience of the members of the medical and surgical team behind this achievement.
