Medical teams from the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program have begun a complex surgery in Riyadh to separate 18-month-old Tanzanian conjoined twins Nancy and Nice at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital.
A Highly Complex Medical Case
According to Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the twins have undergone extensive medical evaluations since arriving in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
The girls are joined at the lower chest, abdomen, and pelvic areas, sharing several vital organs, including the liver, large intestine, urinary and reproductive systems, in addition to complex lower limb deformities.
A Multi-Stage Surgical Procedure
The surgery is being carried out by a specialized team of 35 consultants, surgeons, and medical support staff.
The operation is expected to last approximately 16 hours and will be conducted in 10 carefully planned stages.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah described the procedure as highly delicate, with an estimated success rate of around 60%.
A Global Humanitarian Medical Mission
Nancy and Nice represent the 71st separation case handled by the Saudi program since its launch in 1990, and the third pair of conjoined twins from Tanzania to undergo surgery through the initiative.
So far, the program has reviewed and treated 157 cases from 28 countries across five continents, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leading role in this specialized field.
Continuing Medical Successes
The program continues to achieve internationally recognized medical milestones, including the recent successful separation of Filipino twins Klea and Maurice Ann after an 18-hour surgery.
A Humanitarian Commitment
These efforts highlight Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian and medical commitment to supporting complex pediatric cases worldwide through advanced healthcare expertise and specialized surgical care.
