Saudi conjoined twins Yara and Lara undergo separation surgery in Riyadh
RIYADH — The Saudi medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program on Thursday began the complex operation to separate conjoined twins Yara and Lara at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh. This comes under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and head of the surgical team, confirmed that the seven-month-old twins were born on Nov. 5, 2024, with a combined weight of 10 kilograms.
Each has separate upper and lower limbs, and after thorough evaluations and several medical board meetings, the team determined separation was possible.
The twins are joined at the lower abdomen and pelvis, sharing parts of the colon, rectum, urinary and reproductive organs, and pelvic bones.
The surgery is expected to unfold in nine stages over approximately 15 hours, involving 38 medical experts including consultants in pediatric surgery, urology, orthopedics, anesthesia, plastic surgery, as well as nursing and technical teams. The success rate is estimated at 70 percent.
Al-Rabeeah noted that the program has assessed 150 cases from 27 countries over the past 35 years, with 64 successful separations.
This operation marks the 65th procedure under the program and the 16th for Saudi conjoined twins.
He expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership for its unwavering support, which he said has enabled Saudi medical teams to provide world-class care, elevate the quality of life for affected children and families, and position the Kingdom as a global leader in complex humanitarian medical procedures.
The program continues to enhance its clinical and research capabilities and share accumulated knowledge with medical professionals inside and outside Saudi Arabia, contributing to a lasting humanitarian impact and reinforcing the Kingdom's standing in advanced surgical excellence.
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Arab News
21 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi surgeons successfully separate conjoined 7-month-old twins in 15-hour operation
RIYADH: Surgeons in Saudi Arabia successfully separated 7-month-old conjoined twins during a 15-hour operation at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh on Thursday. Muaid Al-Shehri, the father of the twins, Yara and Lara, described the operation as a profound and emotional moment for his family. 'The support has been great,' he said. 'Honestly, the joy after the separation of the twins is indescribable; it's a completely different kind of happiness. 'There was absolutely no hesitation when we were told the twins could be separated — it was pure joy. It was truly something extraordinary. We thank God and are deeply grateful for our great nation.' The twins were joined at the lower abdomen and pelvis. They had separate upper and lower limbs but shared some organs in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Speaking to Arab News before the operation was completed, Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, an adviser to the Royal Court and general supervisor of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, said that one of the main difficulties surgeons faced was working in a small space where several critical anatomical features overlapped. 'The big challenge here is that we are working in a narrow space where many structures join,: he said. 'We're talking about a joint rectum, joint parts of the urinary bladder. 'This case is complex. It involves many doctors, specialists and technicians. We are expecting 38 members to participate in this surgery, from consultants, specialists (to) technicians, nurses. 'It is a delicate surgery. We expect to lose some blood but I am confident in my colleagues and their experience. We have done similar cases in the past with success, and I'm sure that (God willing) this case will be another achievement for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' The surgery was the 65th operation of its kind in the 35-year history of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program. Al-Rabeeah said that the work of the program continues far beyond surgery. 'The case does not end with the separation,' he explained. 'First of all, immediately after separation they will need a lot of extensive care in the pediatric intensive care unit to ensure that they recover very well. 'When they recover from surgery, they will be subjected to an intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy program so that they will be able to be active and will be able to sit and stand outdoors.' Cases such as this one reflect the broader transformation of the Kingdom's healthcare sector in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, Al-Rabeeah said. 'This is one of the most complex surgeries that are done worldwide, and Saudi Arabia is leading the world,' he added. 'So this is actually a reflection of the (Vision 2030) that the healthcare of Saudi Arabia will not only be of a high standard but also filled with capable young boys and girls from Saudi Arabia.' Dorrah Alsaadoon, a social worker assisting the family at the hospital, told Arab News that the provision of support is essential to help prepare relatives for the separation surgery. 'Psychological and social support helps the family cope with fear and anxiety, strengthens their ability to adapt, and gives them the emotional strength to face the challenges of surgery and beyond with resilience and hope,' she said. 'My role, as a social worker responsible for conjoined twins, is to provide emotional and psychological support to the family, prepare them mentally for the surgery, help them understand the medical process, and ease their anxiety before and during the operation.' She also highlighted the fact that the care provided to the family will continue long after the operation. 'Post-surgery support systems include psychological and social support, sessions to help parents emotionally prepare for reconnecting with their children after the changes, and guidance to help them adjust to the new demands of daily life,' Alsaadoon said. She added that the twins themselves will also require physical and psychological support. 'After surgery, the twins need physical rehabilitation to strengthen their muscles and learn independent movement, and psychological support to help them adjust to their new bodies, build a sense of identity and develop independence.'
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi conjoined twins Yara and Lara successfully separated in 12.5-hour surgery
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — A Saudi medical and surgical team achieved a new milestone on Thursday by successfully separating conjoined twins Yara and Lara in a highly complex procedure that lasted 12.5 hours. The operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital, part of King Abdulaziz Medical City under the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), who also leads the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, confirmed that the seven-month-old twins were joined at the lower abdomen and pelvis, sharing parts of the colon, rectum, urinary and reproductive systems, and pelvic bone. A team of 38 specialists, including consultants in pediatric surgery, anesthesia, urology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and nursing, participated in the delicate operation. The surgery marks the 65th successful separation conducted under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has evaluated 150 conjoined twin cases from 27 countries over the past 35 years. Dr. Al-Rabeeah praised the Kingdom's global leadership in humanitarian medical care, attributing the success of the program to the unwavering support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also expressed gratitude to the surgical team for their exceptional efforts, describing the operation as a testament to Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to medical excellence and human dignity. The family of Yara and Lara extended heartfelt thanks to the Saudi leadership and the entire medical team, expressing deep appreciation for the advanced care and tireless dedication that ensured the success of the procedure and the safety of the twin girls.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi conjoined twins Yara and Lara undergo separation surgery in Riyadh
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program on Thursday began the complex operation to separate conjoined twins Yara and Lara at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh. This comes under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and head of the surgical team, confirmed that the seven-month-old twins were born on Nov. 5, 2024, with a combined weight of 10 kilograms. Each has separate upper and lower limbs, and after thorough evaluations and several medical board meetings, the team determined separation was possible. The twins are joined at the lower abdomen and pelvis, sharing parts of the colon, rectum, urinary and reproductive organs, and pelvic bones. The surgery is expected to unfold in nine stages over approximately 15 hours, involving 38 medical experts including consultants in pediatric surgery, urology, orthopedics, anesthesia, plastic surgery, as well as nursing and technical teams. The success rate is estimated at 70 percent. Al-Rabeeah noted that the program has assessed 150 cases from 27 countries over the past 35 years, with 64 successful separations. This operation marks the 65th procedure under the program and the 16th for Saudi conjoined twins. He expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership for its unwavering support, which he said has enabled Saudi medical teams to provide world-class care, elevate the quality of life for affected children and families, and position the Kingdom as a global leader in complex humanitarian medical procedures. The program continues to enhance its clinical and research capabilities and share accumulated knowledge with medical professionals inside and outside Saudi Arabia, contributing to a lasting humanitarian impact and reinforcing the Kingdom's standing in advanced surgical excellence.
