Tanzanian Conjoined Twins Laityness and Loveness Successfully Separated in 14.5-Hour Surgery

The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme achieved a new medical milestone today by successfully separating Tanzanian conjoined twins Laityness and Loveness. The operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City, affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard, in Riyadh.

 Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the programme’s medical and surgical team Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah said: “By the grace of God and through the efforts of my colleagues on the medical and surgical team, the Tanzanian conjoined twins Laityness and Loveness were separated in 14.5 hours across nine phases.”

 He said 44 consultants, specialists, and nursing and technical staff from multiple medical disciplines participated in the operation to ensure the highest levels of precision and safety throughout all stages.

 Dr. Al Rabeeah explained that the twins, aged two years and two months, were joined at the pelvis and hips and shared the lower portion of the intestines, spinal column, lumbar vertebrae, and spinal cord. They had four lower limbs.

 He noted that this was the fourth separation of conjoined twins from the United Republic of Tanzania and the 75th operation performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme. Over more than 35 years, the programme has evaluated 160 cases from 29 countries, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s leading humanitarian and medical role.

 The programme receives direct support and care from 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.

 On behalf of himself and the medical and surgical team, Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its generous support, which has helped establish Saudi Arabia as a distinguished global center in this field. He also thanked the team members for their efforts in achieving the successful outcome.

 The twins’ mother expressed her gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for the high-quality medical care provided to her daughters. She also praised the medical team’s extensive efforts to ensure the operation’s success.