Riyadh: Upon directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the medical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme began the separation procedure this morning for the Egyptian parasitic twin, Mohammed Abdulrahman Juma, aged seven months and 28 days. The surgery is being performed at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, in a press statement, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and head of the medical team Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah explained that the parasitic twin arrived in the Kingdom in March. Upon admission to the hospital, the medical team conducted diagnostic tests that revealed 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 emphasized that this is a highly complex procedure, with a success rate exceeding 70%.
Al Rabeeah added that this operation marks the 63rd procedure performed under the program, which has reviewed 149 cases from 27 countries since its inception in 1990.
He underscored the program's commitment to advancing its expertise and treatment protocols while sharing this knowledge with medical professionals both domestically and internationally. This initiative aims to expand the program's humanitarian impact and further solidify the Kingdom's position as a global leader in the separation of conjoined twins and other critical medical fields.