Surgeons who separated conjoined twins launch charity to fund similar operations
Written by News on 16/07/2019
Surgeons behind the separation of twin sisters who were joined at the skull have launched a charity to support similar operations.
Safa and Marwa Ullah, who were also joined at the blood vessels in their heads, were treated at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital after being flown over from their birth-country Pakistan.
The two-year-old sisters, whose father has died, were discharged on 1 July and moved to a London address with their mother, grandfather and uncle.
The children were craniopagus twins, meaning they were born joined at the head with a fused skull and separate bodies.
Neurosurgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani and craniofacial surgeon Professor David Dunaway led the team which separated the girls using state-of-the-art technology.
Experts used virtual reality to create an exact replica of the girls’ anatomy to visualise the complex structure of their skulls, as well as how their brains and blood vessels were positioned.
The successful separation was completed in February.
Dr Jeelani and Professor Dunaway’s charity Gemini Untwined will raise funds which will help pay for the treatment of craniopagus twins.
The charity will also fund medical and scientific research into the issue.
Fifty sets of craniopagus twins are are thought to be born around the world each year, with only 15 thought to survive beyond the first 30 days of life.
Around half of these cases would be candidates for successful surgical separation with current technologies.
The charity aims to ensure the twins do not experience a delay in their separation, with the best time for treatment to take place being between six and 12 months old.
Dr Jeelani said: “These are rare, difficult cases and the lack of funding and logistics can compromise outcomes for these children.
“Gemini Untwined will ensure families who find themselves in such an impossible situation have access to the world class expertise and facilities needed to maximise the chances of a successful outcome for their children.”
Professor Dunaway added: “Craniopagus is an exceptionally rare and complex condition.
“Gemini Untwined has been established to ensure access to world class care for craniopagus children and to help our understanding of the challenges in treating this condition.”
Great Ormond Street Hospital has previously successfully separated craniopagus twins in 2006 and 2011.
(c) Sky News 2019: Surgeons who separated conjoined twins launch charity to fund similar operations
