Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Azaria, one of the Jamaican conjoined twins, separated in a complex operation in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, is in stable condition, while her sister Azora remains in critical condition.

This was disclosed by Advisor at the Royal Court and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who headed the surgical team. He said that Azaria has left the pediatric intensive care unit, with her vital signs back to normal and able to eat and interact normally.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah said Azora still suffers heart problems, two weeks after the surgical separation, held on November 13 at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City under the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh.

He said that Azora remains on ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit and is receiving medications to prevent acute heart failure and fluid buildup in the lungs. Since birth and before arrival in the Kingdom, Azora had suffered from an enlarged heart and severely weakened cardiac muscle. Her heart pumps at less than 20 percent of the normal rate, which has required doctors to support her heart with medication and diuretics since her early days.

Dr. Al Rabeeah said that the multidisciplinary team, including specialists in cardiac diseases and transplantation, held several meetings and concluded that Azora needs a heart transplant in order to survive. However, due to her age, weight, and the absence of a compatible donor organ that suits her size, and in line with local transplant criteria, a transplant is not possible, reducing her chances of survival, he said.

Before and after the separation surgery, the team explained the situation to the twins’ mother, who accepted the medical decision. He added that her twin, Azaria, is in good health and is ready to be discharged from the hospital.

The Jamaican twins were conjoined at the lower chest, abdomen, and liver. Their separation was completed successfully in six stages over five hours, with the participation of a 25-member team of consultants, specialists, nurses, and technical staff in anesthesia, pediatric surgery, and plastic surgery.

The Jamaican twins’ operation is the 67th performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has cared for 152 sets of twins from 28 countries across five continents over the period spanning 35 years.