RIYADH (Kashmir English): Saudi conjoined twins Yara and Lara were successfully separated in a complex surgical procedure conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
Being recognized as one of the major medical milestones, the operation was conducted by a 38-member team of highly specialized professionals on Thursday.
Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, confirmed the success of the operation.
The nine-stage procedure was carried out at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital under the Ministry of National Guard.
Dr Al Rabeeah extended his deep gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz for their continued support, which he said has been critical to the program’s global humanitarian impact.
“Their unwavering backing has enabled Saudi Arabia to deliver world-class specialized care, improving lives and demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian service,” Al Rabeeah remarked.
Twins were conjoined in lower abdomen and pelvis
The twins, born on November 5, 2024, were conjoined in the lower abdomen and pelvis, sharing parts of the lower colon, rectum, urinary and reproductive systems, and pelvic bone. Despite the complexity, the medical team determined after extensive assessment that separation was feasible.
The operation marked the 65th successful separation under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which has reviewed 150 cases from 27 countries over 35 years. Yara and Lara are the 16th pair of Saudi twins to be successfully separated.
Dr Al Rabeeah praised his colleagues for their dedication, saying their collective effort reflects the Kingdom’s noble values and leadership in global medical and humanitarian work.
The doctors are optimistic about recovery as the twins are currently under post-operative care.
