After several disappointments in the past, there is a definite sense of hope for conjoined twins Veena and Vani. Surgeons from Great Ormond Street Hospital, London have given 80 per cent chance for a successful surgery that would separate them and make it possible for the twins to live normally.
On Saturday, David Dunaway, Head of Craniofacial Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK, and hospital’s paediatric neurosurgeon, Noor Ul Owase Jeelani reviewed the condition of the conjoined twins and interacted with their parents. “We feel that there is a good chance for both of them to get separated safely. There’s no denying the complexity of the whole process, but we already have successfully handled two similar cases in the past,” he said.
Doctors said that the surgery will not be done at one single sitting. “One big surgery is risky as it leads to brain swelling and blood loss. We will plan meticulously and convert one complex surgery into a series of straightforward simple doable surgeries. That’s the beauty of our procedure. There will be five stages and we have to take Veena and Vani to our hospital in UK,” they said.
Nearly four years ago, they had done a similar surgery on one-year-old conjoined twins from Sudan. “We have seen CT scans and other medical history of Veena and Vani. This is anatomically similar to the Sudan case. We need to do some more tests and prepare 3D models of the brains and vascular system to study sharing of blood between the two,” surgeons said.
“In the past, several surgeons came and gave us hope, but never delivered on their promises. Since these surgeons have assured of 80 per cent chance of success, we are ready to risk it and give our daughters a chance to lead a normal life,” Murali, twins’ father said.
