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.