KSrelief: Conjoined Twins Yara, Lara Successfully Separated in Riyadh, Raising Total to 65
Saudi conjoined twins Yara and Lara underwent successful separation surgery this morning at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) General Supervisor and head of the medical team for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah announced.
On behalf of the medical team, Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed his gratitude to 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, for their unwavering support and attention to the program.
He noted that the generous backing has enabled the Saudi medical team to provide the highest standards of specialized medical care, enhancing the quality of life for the affected children and their families, and solidifying the Kingdom's position in humanitarian and medical efforts.
Al Rabeeah thanked his medical team colleagues for their professional and humanitarian efforts, reflecting the noble values of the Kingdom and its people in serving humanity wherever needed.
He stated that the procedure was conducted in nine stages, involving 38 professionals, including pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, urologists, plastic surgeons, orthopedists, and nursing and technical staff. The separation took place at the city’s King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital at the Ministry of National Guard.
The twins shared a connection in the lower abdomen and pelvis, as well as parts of the lower colon and rectum, with additional involvement in the urinary and reproductive systems and pelvic bone, Al Rabeeah explained.
Yara and Lara were born on November 5, 2024, with a combined weight of 10 kg, each having independent upper and lower limbs, he noted. Following thorough examinations and several meetings, the medical team determined that separation was feasible.
The Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme has evaluated 150 cases from 27 countries over 35 years, successfully separating 65 cases, the latest of which are Yara and Lara. Today’s procedure also represents the 16th successful separation of Saudi twins among 45 Saudi twins that have been examined by the program.
