Fijian conjoined twins Jesipeli and Desicia were successfully separated on Thursday after a nearly 13-hour operation in Riyadh.
The surgery took place at the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital. The facility operates as part of the King Abdulaziz Medical City under the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah led the team. He is an adviser at the royal court, general supervisor of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, and head of the surgical team, and stated that the operation was completed across nine stages.
A total of 34 consultants, specialists, technicians, and nurses took part. The medical staff included experts in anesthesiology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, urology, and other related specialties.
Before the surgery, the twins were joined at the abdomen and pelvis. They shared a liver, intestines, colon, anus, urinary system, reproductive system, and pelvic bone.
The mother and father awaited the outcome with tears of joy and prayers. Following the successful separation, Jesipeli and Desicia were named Noura and Sarah, marking their first time apart and beginning a new life.
Al-Rabeeah said this procedure was the first separation involving patients from Fiji. It is also the 74th operation conducted under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.
The program has run for more than 35 years. During that period, the initiative has assessed 159 cases originating from 28 countries across five continents.
After the operation, the family expressed their gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the entire Saudi medical team.
