Odisha’s craniopagus twins (joined at the head) were separated on Wednesday following a successful surgery that lasted around 16 hours at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
“The children remain under constant observation,” said a statement issued by the hospital authorities here on Thursday.
“Anaesthesia was administered at 6 a.m. and surgery began at 9.30 a.m. There were 20 surgeons and 10 anaesthesiologists involved in the 16-hour-long surgery. They were separated at 8.45 p.m. and covering the brain and using skin grafts took 4-5 hours. One child was moved to the intensive care unit at 11.45 p.m. while the other was moved at 2.30 a.m. Both of them are now in the ICU and stable,” said Prof. A.K. Mahapatra, chief of the neuro-sciences centre, who led the team.
First phase
The 28-month-old twins —Jagga and Kalia — were brought to the institute on July 14 from Milipada village in Kandhamal district of Odisha. The first phase of the surgery, which included experts from Japan, was done on August 28.
As part of the first phase, a new bypass technique was used for the first time on the twins. Ahead of the surgery, the twins had to undergo numerous tests. The Odisha government has sanctioned ₹1 crore for the surgery at AIIMS. The twins had also earlier undergone a medical check-up at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
When asked about the health and chances of survival of the two babies, Prof. A.K. Mahapatra said: “Jagga was stronger compared to Kalia. But due to a shared circulation system, the medicines given to Jagga got transferred to Kalia and vice-versa. So, Jagga, who suffers from heart problems, is in a more critical condition compared to Kalia, who has kidney problems.”
At AIIMS the doctors decided to go ahead with the surgery despite knowing that the rate of survival is only 10-15%. “But we realised that without surgery even that small window of opportunity wasn’t available to these babies,” explained Prof. Mahapatra.
Speaking about the follow-up that the babies will undergo AIIMS director Prof. Randeep Guleria said: “We cannot say how long it will take for them to get discharged. Our only concern right now is to keep them stable. The challenges have just begun. The next 18 hours are very crucial for both babies.”
