Saudi surgeons successfully separate Jamaican conjoined twins
Five-hour procedure completed in Riyadh as medical team accelerates operation due to infant’s critical heart condition
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Saudi specialists successfully separated Jamaican conjoined twins Azaria and Azura Elson in a complex five-hour operation at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital, the Ministry of National Guard confirmed on Thursday.
The medical team from the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program fast-tracked the procedure after determining that the twins did not share intestines and that Azura suffered from a severe heart condition, requiring urgent intervention.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who led the surgical team and also serves as an adviser at the royal court and head of KSrelief, said the twins were brought to the Kingdom on July 28 for evaluation and preparation, according to Arab News.
According to Al-Rabeeah, the children were joined at the lower chest, abdomen and liver, with possible sharing of intestines and parts of the pericardium. One twin had major congenital abnormalities, including a heart muscle functioning at just 20 percent, significantly raising surgical risks.
He initially estimated that the operation would require nine hours across six phases and involve a 25-member multidisciplinary team spanning nursing, anesthesia, pediatric surgery and plastic surgery. However, the absence of shared intestines allowed surgeons to shorten the procedure considerably.
Al-Rabeeah noted that this marks the 67th separation surgery performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has assisted 152 sets of twins from 28 countries over more than three decades.
The twins’ family expressed deep gratitude to King Salman and KSrelief for the advanced medical support provided, praising the professionalism and dedication of the Saudi medical team in ensuring the children’s safety and successful recovery.
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