Khaberni - The medical and surgical team, associated with the «Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins», achieved a new feat on Thursday by completely separating the conjoined Filipino twins, Clea and Morris Ann, in the head region, following a surgical procedure considered among the most complex in the world. This was conducted at King Abdullah Specialist Hospital for Children, in King Abdulaziz Medical City, which is affiliated with the Ministry of the National Guard in Riyadh.
Dr. Abdullah Al Rabiah, head of the team and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, announced, «the separation of the Filipino twins after 12 hours and 45 minutes from the start of anesthesia, marking the third stage», adding: «Two more stages remain; the fourth and fifth, which are expected to span several hours, involving reconstruction, cosmetic work, and closure of the skull».
Al Rabiah reported that the operation was carried out by 30 consultants, specialists, nurses, and technical staff across various specialties; including anesthesia, intensive care, advanced imaging, cosmetic surgery, and other supporting specialties - all to ensure the highest levels of precision and safety during all stages of the operation.
He pointed out that this procedure was the third to separate conjoined twins from the Philippines and the 70th under the «Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins», which has a history of over 35 years, covering 27 countries, and involving 157 cases from around the world.
The head of the medical and surgical team confirmed that these achievements underscore Saudi Arabia's leading role in this rare medical specialty, supported and sponsored directly by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He appreciated their continuous attention and follow-up of the program.
Al Rabiah praised the efforts of the surgical team, led by the consultant pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Muatasim Al-Zoubi, and members from the specialties of anesthesia, cosmetic surgery, nursing, and technical staff, which contributed to the success of the operation and ensured the safety of the twins, noting that this success embodies Saudi Arabia's noble humanitarian message and its status as a global center of excellence in this field. The head of the medical and surgical team had explained, in a press statement before the operation, that the twins «Clea and Morris Ann» arrived in Saudi Arabia on May 17, 2025, and after their hospital admission, the team conducted precise and extensive tests on them, held several meetings, and concluded that their case was among the most complex globally due to various medical factors.
Al Rabiah further explained that among the prominent factors were a complex angular position of the heads, extensive sharing in the cerebral venous sinuses, and intertwined brain tissue between the two girls. Additionally, Clea was suffering from severe heart muscle deficiency and intense atrophy in her kidneys with complete renal failure; which significantly increases the surgical risk.
He clarified that the surgical team decided to carry out the operation in 5 stages, expecting it to last 24 hours. Based on the multidisciplinary medical assessment and precise diagnostic studies, «the risk level is estimated at 50 percent due to the accompanying medical challenges, with a likelihood of severe neurological complications potentially leading to disability, reaching up to 60 percent».
Al Rabiah noted that consultations occurred with one of the medical centers specialized in such cases, and their views were aligned with the medical team's assessment in terms of operation risk and associated high-risk levels, and the situation was explained in detail to the parents of the twins who demonstrated understanding of the surgical team's plan.
