Swiss doctors at Bern University Hospital successfully separated an eight-day-old conjoined sisters. And it is believed to be the youngest conjoined twins separated.
The operation was carried out on December 10 by a team of five surgeons, six anesthesiologists and two nurses. Despite the 1% chance of survival, doctors brought the procedure forward when the babies developed a life-threatening condition.
Lydia and Maya were born two months premature at the Inselspital hospital in Bern, along with their sister Kamilla on December 2. The doctors said to Le Matin Dimanche newspaper via BBC that Kamilla was born normal and healthy but Lydia and Maya were born with conjoined chest and liver.
The doctors original plan was to separate the twins after few months when they become older. However, after a week, they noticed that the babies' health were deteriorating: one was suffering from very high blood pressure while the other one did not have enough blood.
Thus, the doctors decided to carry out the separation procedure, which was never performed before on such very young newborn babies. After 5-hour long operation, doctors successfully separated the girls and they are now recovering in a pediatric intensive care ward.
After the grueling operation, the hospitals said that the twins are now much better than before. In fact, they put on some weight and have started breastfeeding.
Hence, the head of pediatric surgery, Steffen Berger, praised the doctors for the great teamwork and success. "The perfect teamwork of physicians and nursing personnel from various disciplines were the key to success here," Berger said. "We are very happy that the children and parents are faring so well now."
Barbara Wildhaber, who headed the medical team for operation said that there was an "extreme pressure" during the operation and admitted that they were prepared for the death of the twins. But after the successful procedure, she was relieved and said, "It was magnificent! I will remember it my entire career."
