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Saudi Arabia Commences Separation Surgery for Burkinabe Conjoined Twins
Medical team initiates complex procedure at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh.
On February 28, 2025, a specialized medical team in Riyadh began a surgical procedure to separate conjoined twins from Burkina Faso, Khadijah and Hawaa.
The operation is taking place at the King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.The twins arrived in Riyadh on July 2, 2024, accompanied by their mother, Rasmata Sawadogo.
They were transported via a medical evacuation plane following directives from Saudi leadership.
Upon arrival, the twins underwent comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, revealing conjoining at the lower chest and abdomen, with shared structures including the pericardium, liver, and bowel.The surgical team, comprising 26 specialists, is led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, an advisor to the royal court and general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
The procedure is structured into five phases, beginning with anesthesia and proceeding through stages of separation and reconstruction.
Prior to surgery, plastic surgeons implemented tissue expanders over a three-and-a-half-month period to prepare sufficient skin for closure post-separation.The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has evaluated 146 cases from 27 countries and performed 61 successful separation surgeries.
The program operates under the auspices of the Saudi government, covering all medical and logistical expenses for patients and their families.
King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital, equipped with advanced medical facilities, serves as the primary center for these complex procedures.Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon, occurring in approximately one in every 200,000 live births.
Medical studies indicate that about 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn, and 70 percent of those who survive are female.
The successful separation of conjoined twins requires a multidisciplinary approach and meticulous surgical planning.The case of Khadijah and Hawaa was brought to the attention of Saudi authorities after their family contacted the Saudi Embassy in Burkina Faso.
Their mother has expressed gratitude to the Saudi government and confidence in the medical team's expertise.
The ongoing procedure reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to providing advanced medical care and humanitarian assistance to individuals worldwide.
The operation is taking place at the King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.The twins arrived in Riyadh on July 2, 2024, accompanied by their mother, Rasmata Sawadogo.
They were transported via a medical evacuation plane following directives from Saudi leadership.
Upon arrival, the twins underwent comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, revealing conjoining at the lower chest and abdomen, with shared structures including the pericardium, liver, and bowel.The surgical team, comprising 26 specialists, is led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, an advisor to the royal court and general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
The procedure is structured into five phases, beginning with anesthesia and proceeding through stages of separation and reconstruction.
Prior to surgery, plastic surgeons implemented tissue expanders over a three-and-a-half-month period to prepare sufficient skin for closure post-separation.The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has evaluated 146 cases from 27 countries and performed 61 successful separation surgeries.
The program operates under the auspices of the Saudi government, covering all medical and logistical expenses for patients and their families.
King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital, equipped with advanced medical facilities, serves as the primary center for these complex procedures.Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon, occurring in approximately one in every 200,000 live births.
Medical studies indicate that about 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn, and 70 percent of those who survive are female.
The successful separation of conjoined twins requires a multidisciplinary approach and meticulous surgical planning.The case of Khadijah and Hawaa was brought to the attention of Saudi authorities after their family contacted the Saudi Embassy in Burkina Faso.
Their mother has expressed gratitude to the Saudi government and confidence in the medical team's expertise.
The ongoing procedure reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to providing advanced medical care and humanitarian assistance to individuals worldwide.
