The twins are now stable and off artificial respirators
Tuka and Aykiin, the Syrian Conjoined Twins who underwent the successful separation on the 14th of February 2016 in King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital, in King Abdulaziz Medical City – Riyad are now stable in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for full recovery and observation.
Dr. Ahmed Al Ferayan, Neurosurgery Consultant and Head of the multidisciplinary team, assured that the twins (Tuka and Aykiin) are doing well and their vital signs are in a stable condition. The twins have been taken off the artificial respirator and are now breathing independently. Dr. Al Ferayan also stated that their motor responses (movement of arms and legs) are back to normal as well as their speech abilities.
Dr. Al Ferayan also added that after the seventh day after the successful separation, which lasted for 14 hours over six stages due to the extent in which the twins are conjoined in the head area, the twins were able identify their parents. In addition, for post-op, the plastic surgery team inserted addition tissue expanders without any complications; reassuring everyone that the twins now are not suffering from any infections at the level of the wounds, nor any fevers and all their vital signs normal.
Moreover, Dr. Al Ferayan added that the twins will be transferred to a joined room in a few days where they will meet face to face for the first time. It is however expected that there would be a reaction from the sisters towards this meeting, but our medical team is highly qualified and equipped with vast experience on such cases. Last but not least, the medical team has decided that Tuka and Aykiin will start physical therapy two weeks from now to help them sit, stand and walk, and it is expected that they will be discharged within two to three months, God willing.