Kano conjoined twins survive 14-hour procedure in Saudi Arabia

The King Abdullah Specialist Pediatrics Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday completed the separation surgery of Kano conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina Isa.

The medical procedure conducted by a combined team of Saudi specialists under the sponsorship of the 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, was another landmark achievement in the series.

The operation took the dedication of surgical intervention unfolded in nine planned stages, beginning Thursday morning and lasting approximately 14 hours, marking the culmination of meticulous planning and execution.

No fewer than 38 consultants, technicians, and nursing staff specializing in anesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and pediatric neurosurgery, successfully conducted the successful procedure.

A statement by Mohammed Alsahabi, Press Attache at Saudi embassy in Abuja, Friday morning, said the surgical milestone marked the 60th operations undertaken by the Saudi program for separating Siamese twins.

He said the Kingdom’s funded program has provided successful 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% 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.

The conjoined twins, along side their parents departed Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, on 31st October, 2023, to undertake the comprehensive examinations that revealed shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves.

Before Hassana and Husaina left for Saudi Arabia, Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf bidded them a farewell with prayers for a successful operation.