Successful separation of conjoined twins

With this successful surgery, a new door to critical surgery has opened up in the country

After nearly 10-hour long surgery, the doctors of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) successfully separated the twins, Tofa and Tohura. It was for the first time in our paediatric field when a critical surgery like this was conducted by our skilled local paediatric surgeons coupled with other specialists. The doctors concerned deserve applause and we wish complete recovery of the recently separated twins.

Separating conjoined twins is no easy task and especially in the case of Tofa and Tohura. Their case was not an ordinary conjoined case. They were called Pygopagus twins, a particularly rare form of conjoined twins, in which the bodies are joined back to back at the pelvis and lower spine. It was regarding the nature of this particular type of conjoining which appeared a matter of grave concern.

In January 2002, Bangladeshi doctors performed first-ever operation to separate conjoined twins who later died. Since then doctors performed a number of separation operations of conjoined twins in the country. Some of them survived and are leading a healthy life.

However, with this successful surgery, a new door to critical surgery has opened up in the country. Ordinary people who cannot afford foreign treatments now have a medical shelter. Also, the surgery will serve as an inspiration for many doctors to acquire knowledge and pick up challenging surgeries.

At least 16 doctors from different DMCH departments including anaesthesia, burn and plastic surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, urology, radiology and imaging reportedly took part in performing the operation. This also shows that we are not short of skilled specialists in different fields for undertaking a rare and critical surgery too.

Another pair of Bangladeshi twins joined at the skull is awaiting their turn in Dhaka. Our doctors are consulting experts from across the globe as they prepare for the next operation. They are trying to establish whether the one-year-old girls — who are otherwise healthy — share the same brain, something that would vastly complicate the surgery. However, we wish them best of luck and continue to serve our people with newer groundbreaking achievements.

Successful separation of conjoined twins

With this successful surgery, a new door to critical surgery has opened up in the country

After nearly 10-hour long surgery, the doctors of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) successfully separated the twins, Tofa and Tohura. It was for the first time in our paediatric field when a critical surgery like this was conducted by our skilled local paediatric surgeons coupled with other specialists. The doctors concerned deserve applause and we wish complete recovery of the recently separated twins. Separating conjoined twins is no easy task and especially in the case of Tofa and Tohura. Their case was not an ordinary conjoined case. They were called Pygopagus twins, a particularly rare form of conjoined twins, in which the bodies are joined back to back at the pelvis and lower spine. It was regarding the nature of this particular type of conjoining which appeared a matter of grave concern. In January 2002, Bangladeshi doctors performed first-ever operation to separate conjoined twins who later died. Since then doctors performed a number of separation operations of conjoined twins in the country. Some of them survived and are leading a healthy life. However, with this successful surgery, a new door to critical surgery has opened up in the country. Ordinary people who cannot afford foreign treatments now have a medical shelter. Also, the surgery will serve as an inspiration for many doctors to acquire knowledge and pick up challenging surgeries. At least 16 doctors from different DMCH departments including anaesthesia, burn and plastic surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, urology, radiology and imaging reportedly took part in performing the operation. This also shows that we are not short of skilled specialists in different fields for undertaking a rare and critical surgery too. Another pair of Bangladeshi twins joined at the skull is awaiting their turn in Dhaka. Our doctors are consulting experts from across the globe as they prepare for the next operation. They are trying to establish whether the one-year-old girls who are otherwise healthy share the same brain, something that would vastly complicate the surgery. However, we wish them best of luck and continue to serve our people with newer groundbreaking achievements.