Doctors at Qatar's first Specialist Women's and Children's Hospital, Sidra Medicine, have successfully separated conjoined twins, marking a first for the country.

The surgery establishes an alternative for patients who previously had limited choices for the successful treatment and care of complex pediatric diseases in the region.

Globally, conjoined twins occur once in about every 200,000 births. The twins that were separated at Sidra Medicine, were conjoined at the liver and lower sternum - considered one of the riskier types of fusion, as each baby needs a fully functional liver and gastrointestinal tract of their own without compromising the other.

The twins mother was seen during her 29th week of pregnancy at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), while on a visit from Mali to Qatar. After confirming that the twins were conjoined and separation was possible, a multidisciplinary team from HMC and Sidra Medicine arranged for the delivery and care for the country's first conjoined twin separation.

Soon after birth, the twins were transferred to Sidra Medicine, under the care of a highly specialised team of neonatal ICU physicians, nurses, pediatric surgeons and allied healthcare professionals.

Led by Dr. Mansour Ali, Chair of the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Dr. Abdalla Zarroug, Division Chief of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, the four-month-old male twins were separated by a team of 10 surgeons and anaesthesiologists, during a nine-hour procedure that went without any complications. "By successfully separating conjoined twins, one of the most complex surgical procedures there is, we are proud to showcase the calibre of our multidisciplinary teams less than a year since we opened our inpatient facility.

The surgery is both a milestone for the hospital and the healthcare sector in Qatar," said Dr. Mansour.

Less than 10 days after separation, Hamad and Tamim are recovering and are back to normal feeds and expected to live normal, independent lives.

"Combined with access to the latest technology to support pre-surgical planning and delivery, we have the advantage of having some of the world’s top pediatric specialists in general and thoracic surgery, urology, craniofacial, plastics, anesthesiology and robotic surgery.

The fact that we are able to use these resources to offer pediatric surgical services that did not exist in the region before, is the reason we are here. Our goal is offer hope to our surgical patients when there may have been no hope before," said Dr. Zarroug.

The father said: "We tried to explore international options for surgery until we found out about Sidra Medicine. We are immensely grateful to the Government of Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Medicine for their tireless efforts to save the lives of our boys."

Dr. Abdulla Al Kaabi, Chief Medical Officer, Sidra Medicine: "What a proud moment for the team at Sidra Medicine and the healthcare network in Qatar. Today’s case is also indicative that we remain committed to our mission to provide children and women with outstanding tertiary healthcare services in an innovative and ultramodern facility specially designed to promote healing.

The success of this surgery is a testament to the investment made by the Qatar in medical services, people and technology, that allows a hospital like ours to offer cutting-edge patient and family centered care. It also establishes Sidra Medicine as a key contender in the region to handle complex pediatric diseases."

Dr. Helmut Hummler, Chief of Neonatology, Sidra Medicine: "This success would not have been possible without many weeks of extremely dedicated medical, nursing and allied health staff caring 24/7 for these twins in our Neonatal ICU. This is a true landmark story showcasing the extensive collaboration between Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation."

Source (QNA)

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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