Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A specialized Saudi surgical team has successfully separated Syrian conjoined twins Selin and Elin, aged one year and five months, in a complex procedure lasting eight continuous hours.

The operation was performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City, under the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh.

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 operation involved a multidisciplinary medical team of 24 consultants and specialists.

The team included experts in pediatric surgery, anesthesiology, plastic surgery, and other key supporting fields, ensuring maximum precision and patient safety at every stage of the procedure.

This operation marks the fourth successful separation of conjoined twins from Syria and the 66th procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which spans over 35 years and has evaluated 150 cases from 27 countries.

The program reflects Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in this rare surgical field, backed by the continuous support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for its unwavering support and commended the surgical team for their skill and dedication.

“This achievement is a testament to the high caliber of Saudi medical professionals and the Kingdom’s humanitarian mission to serve people worldwide,” he said, adding that such milestones solidify Saudi Arabia’s reputation as an international center of excellence in conjoined twin surgery.

Hussein Abdulaziz, chargé d’affaires at the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh, extended his appreciation to the Saudi government, KSrelief, and the medical team.

He praised the Kingdom's advanced healthcare system and emphasized the operation as a symbol of the strong fraternal ties between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

The family of the twins also conveyed heartfelt thanks to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the exceptional care provided.

They expressed their profound gratitude to the Saudi medical team for ensuring the safety and successful separation of their daughters.