Doctors begin surgery to separate Egyptian parasitic twin in Saudi
The medical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme began a complex surgical procedure on Wednesday morning to separate an Egyptian parasitic twin from seven-month-old Mohammed Abdulrahman Juma.
The surgery is being performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh.
In a press statement, head of the medical team Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah explained that the parasitic twin arrived in the Kingdom in March. Upon his arrival, diagnostic tests revealed that the parasitic twin was attached to Mohammed's back through the lower chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
Al Rabeeah noted that the parasitic twin has no chance of survival due to the absence of vital organs such as the heart and head, coupled with severe defects that cannot be corrected.
He further stated that the operation will be carried out in six stages over approximately 11 hours, with 26 consultants, specialists, and medical staff from various disciplines participating.
He emphasised that this is a highly complex procedure, with a success rate exceeding 70 per cent. Al Rabeeah added that this operation marks the 63rd procedure performed under the programme, which has reviewed 149 cases from 27 countries since its inception in 1990.
The programme continues to advance its medical expertise while contributing to global knowledge and reinforcing Saudi Arabia's leadership in complex paediatric surgeries.
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