SOCIETY


Twins conjoined at the head are separated after 50 hours of surgery

A set of twins joined at the top of the head have been successfully separated following pioneering surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Separating sisters Safa and Marwa Ullah required three major operations and a number of small procedures. The major operations totalled more than 50 hours of surgery time, took place over a four-month period and involved a 100-strong team at the world leading hospital. The first operation took place in October 2018 and the last operation, which saw the girls finally separated, took place on 11 February this year. The two-year-olds from Charsadda in Pakistan, who were born by caesarean section, were craniopagus twins which means they were fused at the head – an incredibly rare condition. Due to GOSH’s reputation as one of the only hospitals in the world with the expertise and experience to separate and care for craniopagus twins, the girls were brought to the London-based hospital from Pakistan for treatment when they were 19-months old.