Khaberni - This morning, the medical and surgical team associated with the Saudi program for conjoined twins began the separation procedure of the Filipino conjoined twins "Kalia and Morris Ann" joined at the head at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City of the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh, under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Crown Prince, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The General Supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, and head of the medical and surgical team, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, stated in a press statement that the Filipino conjoined twins "Kalia and Morris Ann," who are joined at the head, arrived in Saudi Arabia on May 17, 2025. Upon their admission to the hospital, the medical team conducted comprehensive and multiple examinations, and held several meetings from which it was concluded that the condition of the twins is one of the most complex in the world, due to several medical factors, the most notable of which are the complex angular position of the heads, extensive sharing in the brain's venous sinuses, and intermingling of brain tissue between the two girls, in addition to the fact that "Kalia" was suffering from heart muscle deficiency and severe atrophy in the kidneys along with complete renal failure, which significantly increases the surgical risk level.
He added that the surgical team led by Dr. Mu'tasim Al-Zu'bi, a consultant in pediatric neurosurgery, decided to perform the operation in 5 stages, involving 30 consultants, specialists, nursing staff, and technical personnel across various specialties, including anesthesia, intensive care, advanced imaging, and cosmetic surgery, pointing out that the operation is expected to last 24 hours.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah said that based on the multidisciplinary medical assessment and precision diagnostic studies, the risk level is estimated at 50% due to the medical challenges associated with the condition, with a risk of severe neurological complications that could cause disability reaching up to 60%. He noted that consultations were held with one of the specialized medical centers in such cases, and their views aligned with the evaluation of the medical team in terms of the seriousness of the operation and the high level of associated risks. The situation was explained in detail to the parents of the twins, who showed understanding of the surgical team's plan.
He pointed out that this operation is number 70 within the Saudi program for conjoined twins, which has cared for 157 twins from 28 countries across five continents around the world since 1990.
