Fijian twins separated in Saudi Arabia after complex surgery
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Doctors in Saudi Arabia successfully separated 13-month-old Fijian twins, Dicecea and Jesepeli Kikau, who were joined at the lower abdomen and pelvis.
The girls, born with a rare condition called omphalo-ischiopagus tetrapus, underwent a nearly 13-hour operation at the King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital to divide their shared liver, bowel, urinary tract, and anal canal. Their mother, Akeneta Vulimaiigiladi, watched the procedure via video link and gave the twins new Arabic names, Noorah and Sarah, before the surgery began.
The Fijian government sent the twins to Saudi Arabia after receiving requests for large upfront payments from hospitals in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico. The hospital’s Saudi Conjoined Twins Program offered the surgery for free, making it possible for the family to receive the necessary care. This operation marks the 74th time the hospital has separated conjoined twins originating from 29 countries.
The twins, who were born prematurely, have a triplet sister named Hossana who was not conjoined.
