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TL;DR
- Successful Separation: 80 doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital successfully separated 15-month-old conjoined twins, Rifa and Shifa, after a 10-hour surgery.
- Medical Team and Challenges: The operation, led by Professor Dr. Sahanur Islam, involved extensive planning and addressed significant medical challenges.
- Post-Surgery Recovery: Rifa recovered swiftly, while Shifa faced complications requiring further treatment and remains in ICU.
- Collaborative Effort: The surgery was supported by various organizations and donors, highlighting the importance of collaboration in complex medical procedures.
In a remarkable medical achievement, 80 doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) successfully separated 15-month-old conjoined twins, Rifa and Shifa, after a complex 10-hour surgery. The twins, joined at the chest and abdomen, were separated on September 7, 2024. This intricate operation was announced as a success by hospital authorities during a press conference on September 23, 2024.
The twins, daughters of Badsha and Mahmuda from Betagi Upazila in Barguna, were born conjoined, a condition discovered only at birth despite earlier indications of a twin pregnancy. The family has another daughter who is six years old.
Professor Dr. Sahanur Islam, from the Pediatric Surgery Department at DMCH, led the operation. He explained that the medical team began preparing for the surgery after Mahmuda approached them on June 14 with her daughters. Following thorough examinations and consultations, the twins were admitted to the hospital on June 21 for further assessment. The medical board decided on the separation surgery after careful deliberation.
Post-surgery, both twins were placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on ventilators. Rifa was taken off the ventilator on September 8, while Shifa followed on September 9. Despite Rifa’s stable recovery, Shifa faced complications due to heart issues and required additional treatment at the Heart Foundation. Furthermore, Shifa underwent another surgery when her bile duct connection reopened and remains in ICU care.
Dr. Sahanur noted that such surgeries are fraught with challenges and risks: “Sometimes it is not possible to save both twins; sometimes only one can be saved.” DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman acknowledged the operation as a significant challenge for the hospital.
The successful separation was made possible through the collaboration of multiple departments and organizations. Financial support for the surgery came from various sources, including DMCH’s social services department, Akij Group, National Heart Foundation, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), BIRDEM’s Transfusion Medicine Department, Laboratory Medicine Department, and an anonymous donor along with their family.
This case highlights not only the medical prowess at DMCH but also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in complex medical procedures.
News Source: RTV
