Somali conjoined twins separated in complex surgery in Riyadh
The delicate operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital and carried out in eight carefully planned stages.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - A Saudi medical team has successfully separated 13-month-old Somali conjoined twins after a complex 14-hour surgery in Riyadh, overcoming long odds and major medical challenges.
The twins, Rahma and Ramla, were joined at the lower abdomen and pelvis and shared several vital organs, including parts of their digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.
Doctors had warned that the case would be extremely difficult, estimating the chances of a successful separation at just 40 percent.
The delicate operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital and carried out in eight carefully planned stages.
A multidisciplinary team of 36 consultants, surgeons, specialists and technicians took part, representing fields such as pediatric surgery, anesthesia, urology, orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery.
The procedure was led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and head of the surgical team for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.
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Medical assessments before the surgery revealed serious kidney complications affecting both children.
Ramla was diagnosed with complete kidney failure and is expected to require dialysis following the separation.
Rahma had one non-functioning kidney, while her second kidney remained operational despite fluid buildup.
Despite the risks, surgeons were able to separate the twins safely, giving them a chance at living independent lives.
The girls were flown to Saudi Arabia in May last year after King Salman ordered their transfer for specialized medical evaluation and treatment.
According to Al-Rabeeah, the operation marks the 68th successful separation performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which over the past 35 years has treated 156 sets of conjoined twins from 28 countries.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.