Burkinabe Conjoined Twins Hawaa, Khadijah Successfully Separated in Six-Hour Surgery

A specialized Saudi surgical team successfully separated the conjoined twins from Burkina Faso, Hawaa and Khadijah, at the King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital within King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh.

 Twenty-six specialists were there to conduct the intricate procedure, which lasted six hours and was conducted in five stages. The team encompassed consultants, nurses, and technical staff from various disciplines including anesthesia, pediatric surgery, and plastic surgery.

 Royal Court Advisor and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah led the medical team. He noted that the surgery began as planned with a smooth anesthesia phase that was completed ahead of schedule, followed by sterilization and incision phases.

 Then came the step of separating the pericardium and liver, which proceeded without complications and resulted in minimal blood loss, Al Rabeeah said. The success highlights the advanced medical equipment provided by the government as well as the extensive experience of the surgical team.

 The operation is the 62nd under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program and was conducted in accordance with the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership, Al Rabeeah emphasized. Over the past 36 years, the program has cared for 146 conjoined twins from 27 countries, he said, emphasizing the Kingdom's pioneering role in humanitarian efforts, particularly in the medical field.

 He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the support and oversight they provide to the program. He added that these successive medical successes represent one of the bright civilizational examples of the Kingdom.