St. Louis hospital successfully separates Ethiopian conjoined twins

Ethiopian conjoined twins Hiyab and Wuhbto have been successfully separated following a complex 24-hour surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. The twins were born with craniopagus, a rare condition where they were joined at the head, sharing a network of veins.

The procedure, which took place between February 24 and 25, followed 300 hours of intensive medical planning. Hospital officials described the operation as one of the most complex and rare pediatric procedures performed in the United States. The twins traveled from Ethiopia to the U.S. with assistance from organizations including Ethiopian Airlines, World Pediatrics, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Both girls are currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation. Wuhbto has already undergone a cranioplasty to reconstruct her skull, while Hiyab is scheduled for a similar procedure. A team of over 60 healthcare professionals is managing their recovery, which includes individualized therapies to help them achieve milestones such as sitting upright, eating, and socializing.