Parents ecstatic as Turkish surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins from Pakistan

Alameen Templeton

A team of 60 doctors have successfully separated 11-month-old conjoined twin girls from Pakistan after complex, two-stage operations lasting some 14 hours in Ankara, Turkiye.

Mirha and Minal, were born in Pakistan with their heads fused and couldn’t find suitable treatment in their home country – until their plight caught the attention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He was contacted by renowned London-based pediatric neurosurgeon Owase Jeelani, and Erdogan assured him the babies’ treatment would be carried out in Türkiye.

The twins were placed under close medical supervision at Bilkent City Hospital when they arrived in Mayx. The operation took in two stages was led by Jeelani, along with Turkish physicians Dr Harun Demirci and Dr Hasan Murat Ergani.

Two-step approach

Yeni Safak reports Dr. Aziz Ahmet Surel, the hospital’s coordinating chief physician, said the first, 14-hour operation in July had been made possible due to the exchange of knowledge and expertise between Turkish and British medical teams.

That operation did not separate the girls, but prepared their bodies, particularly their heads, for later, separation surgery.

Post-operative care had been as important as the first operation itself, because another whole team of specialists was required to ensure the girl’s brains, bones, blood vessels and muscles grew in a way to ease their final separation.

“Seeing the healthy, smiling faces of the babies now, compared to their conjoined state when they first arrived, is an indescribable joy,” Surel told Anadolu.

Namik Yasar Ozbek, head of the Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Bilkent City Hospital, said the sharing of blood vessels, bone and musculature between the twins meant the operation was high-risk, requiring very careful preparation to ensure success.

Celebrating first birthday apart

“The babies had some issues with sitting and hand movements due to their conjoined state. Post-surgery, our neurologists, physical therapists and neurodevelopmental specialists resolved these issues,” he said.

“The babies are now doing very well, starting to use their hands and arms, and gaining head control. In 10 days, they will celebrate their first birthdays separately,” Ozbek said.

Reconstructive physician Ergani said: “To prevent tissue deficiency after the separation, we first performed balloon tissue expansion surgery. We placed a material in their heads that gradually expanded, increasing the tissue over about two months.”

Ergani said the second surgery to separate the twins had been just as perilous.

“When we separated the babies, the tissue to cover the brain was crucial because their brains would be exposed. Any complication could harm the children, so we planned very carefully. On July 19, we successfully separated the twins, sharing the tissue,” he said.

“Seeing the babies healthy now is an incredible joy. When we successfully separated them, the entire medical team looked at each other and applauded. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life,” he added.

Ecstatic parents

“They were uncomfortable, so we kept them together in the same room and bed for a while. Eventually, they adapted, and their health is now very good. We expect to discharge them in two to three weeks and will monitor their brain and bone development every three months,” he said.

The twins’ parents, Rehan Ali and Nazia Parveen, expressed their profound gratitude to President Erdogan, the medical team, and everyone involved.

“We are very happy and indebted to everyone who contributed,” said Ali, adding that they hope to meet Erdogan to thank him personally.

Anadolu reports the family was told in Pakistan that the treatment was impossible, so they contacted Jeelani in London and sent him photos and medical reports.

“After reviewing them, Jeelani told us that separation surgery was possible. However, we lacked the financial means for the operation in the UK. Jeelani then contacted President Erdogan, explained our situation, and thanks to him, the necessary arrangements were made, and we were brought here,” Ali added.