Ethiopian conjoined twins separated in St. Louis surgery
Twin sisters from Ethiopia who were born conjoined at the head have been separated after a complex surgical procedure in St. Louis. A team of about 30 medical professionals performed the 25-hour operation at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
The hospital announced the successful separation Wednesday. The operation took place Feb. 24.
The twins, Hiyab and Wuhbto, were born with a rare condition known as craniopagus, in which twins are joined at the head. According to the National Library of Medicine, twins conjoined at the head occur in about one in 2.5 million live births.
For over two years, Hiyab and Wuhbto lived conjoined at the head, facing away from each other. The sisters could hear each other but had never seen one another face to face before the surgery.
Dr. Joanna Kemp, a physician at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, said the sisters’ condition posed significant long-term challenges.
“They would not have been able to be functionally connected the way they were and could not go back to their home country because the medical care could not be managed well,” Kemp said.
Doctors spent almost a year studying the sisters’ condition and preparing for the operation.
Dr. Philippe Mercier, a surgeon at the hospital, reflected on the final stage of the procedure.
“At the final day of separation, we knew we had achieved everything we could in a graduated fashion,” Mercier said.
After being separated, the sisters were able to interact directly for the first time. Kate Corbett, a hospital staff member, described the change.
“Never before had they been able to snuggle up to each other and to reach for each other, be together in that special sisterly way,” Corbett said.
During a video announcement from Ethiopia, the twins’ guardian thanked the medical team in St. Louis.
“My deepest gratitude is to the team at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and (Ranken) Jordan for welcoming them and surrounding them with care and dedication,” Abebe Fantahun said.
