New Medical Achievement: Fijian Conjoined Twins Successfully Separated After 12-Hour Surgery
The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program achieved a new medical milestone today by successfully separating Fijian conjoined twins Jesepeli and Diceacea. The operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, part of King Abdulaziz Medical City under the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh.
Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah said, "By the grace and guidance of Allah, and through the efforts of my fellow medical and surgical team members, the Fijian conjoined twins Jesepeli and Diceacea were successfully separated after 12 hours and 45 minutes, in nine stages."
He added that the operation was carried out with the participation of 34 consultants, specialists, and technical and nursing staff from anesthesiology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, and supporting specialties.
Dr. Al Rabeeah recalled that the twins were joined at the abdomen and pelvis and shared the liver, intestines, colon, anus, urinary system, reproductive system, and pelvic bone.
He noted that this was the first conjoined twin separation operation involving twins from the Republic of Fiji and the 74th operation in the history of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program. The program spans more than 35 years, has covered 28 countries across five continents, and has assessed 159 cases worldwide.
He affirmed that Saudi Arabia's medical excellence through the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, and its established global leadership in managing the most delicate and complex cases, result from a profound humanitarian vision and sincere determination. These have made the program a source of hope born from suffering and a new dawn for families who have long wished to see their children together in a dignified life. He added that the Saudi medical team's consecutive successes, through its advanced expertise and high-level capabilities, have reinforced Saudi Arabia's position as a leading global center in this specialized medical field.
On behalf of himself and all team members, Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed his gratitude to the 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, for their generous support of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has helped establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in this field.
He also thanked the medical and surgical team for its efforts, which helped achieve this new medical milestone for Saudi Arabia.
The Fijian twins' family expressed their deep gratitude to the 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, for the advanced medical care provided, praising the Saudi medical team's efforts in ensuring the success of the operation and the twins' safety.