London Neurosurgeon Achieves Medical Miracle: Separates Conjoined Twins with 3D Tech

Conjoined Twins Separated with 3D Tech

“We used special goggles to view images of the brain and blood vessels superimposed onto the child's head during surgery..."

Conjoined twins separated via pioneering Mixed Reality surgery: a story of medical innovation & resilience.

Renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani successfully separated conjoined twins using cutting-edge 3D technology. The complex surgery took place at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital in Turkey over a span of three months.

The twins, Minal and Mirha, born in Pakistan, were craniopagus twins, joined at the head. Utilizing advanced mixed reality (MR) technology, Professor Jeelani and his team meticulously separated the shared brain tissue and blood vessels.

This groundbreaking procedure was performed at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, demonstrating the power of innovative medical technology. The twins are now on the road to recovery, with full healing expected.

Key Details:

• Surgeon: Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, pediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London

• Location: Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Turkey
• Patients: Conjoined twins Minal and Mirha from Pakistan
• Procedure: Separation of craniopagus twins using 3D and MR technology
• Duration: Three months
• Outcome: Successful separation, with full recovery expected

The twins' shared blood vessels and brain tissue made their separation a high-stakes, precision surgery. Professor Jeelani, founder of Gemini Untwined, oversaw the operation with meticulous care.

As the surgical team successfully separated Minal and Mirha, Jeelani shared his joy, calling it a “truly wonderful” moment. The twins' parents, filled with emotion, saw their daughters begin a new journey, free from the physical bond that once connected them.

He said, “It was so rewarding to see two healthy children and the joy on their parent's faces.”

“A really wonderful feeling,” the neurosurgeon added.

“We used special goggles to view images of the brain and blood vessels superimposed onto the child's head during surgery,” Jeelani highlighted, crediting the technology's accuracy and its potential to transform surgical planning.

Professor Jeelani's team took on Minal and Mirha's case in 2023, facilitated by Gemini Untwined and the Turkish government's support. The twins traveled from Pakistan to Turkey for the high-stakes operation.

“We defied the odds and succeeded," Professor Jeelani exclaimed, praising the seamless collaboration that enabled the twins' separation. This triumph underscored the power of international cooperation and medical expertise.

Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon, affecting only 1 in 2.5 million births. Their survival depends on complex separation surgeries, highlighting the need for specialized expertise.

World-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani has established himself as a leader in conjoined twin separation. His remarkable achievements include successful surgeries in Brazil, Israel, and Pakistan, showcasing his exceptional skill and dedication to transforming young lives.

Professor Jeelani credited British medicine for its exceptional standards, noting, “The UK leads the world in complex surgeries like conjoined twin separations.”

The twins' rare prenatal condition, craniopagus, resulted in their heads being joined, sharing vital blood vessels. This complex anomaly demanded cutting-edge medical expertise, underscoring Professor Jeelani's renowned skill in pediatric neurosurgery.

“They're making an excellent recovery, really wonderful.

“They should be in a position to go back to Pakistan in a few weeks,” he stated.

Professor Jeelani's charity, Gemini Untwined, is dedicated to improving surgical outcomes and care for children with craniopagus and intricate craniofacial conditions.

“The technology helps to give you that assurance that your surgical planning has been correct.

“Sometimes it can show me something that I haven't seen..

“Within the next five years, I can see mixed reality being used in more routine surgery.

“Hopefully, we can encourage young engineers and surgeons to further develop it,” Jeelani concluded.

Conjoined twins are an exceptional phenomenon, occurring when a single fertilized egg fails to fully separate during early embryonic development. This rare event results in twins physically connected, with varying degrees of attachment, from partial joins at the chest or abdomen to complex unions involving critical organs like the heart, liver, or brain.

Despite facing formidable medical and surgical hurdles, conjoined twins demonstrate astonishing resilience and an unparalleled bond. Together, they navigate life's challenges with remarkable adaptability, forging a unique relationship built on shared experiences and mutual dependence. Their extraordinary connection inspires awe and underscores the remarkable potential of the human spirit.

Despite numerous medical hurdles, conjoined twins exhibit exceptional strength and an unwavering bond. Their remarkable adaptability enables them to face life's challenges together.

At Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Turkey, Professor Jeelani's team executed the separation surgery in two meticulous stages, spanning three months. The culmination was a marathon 14-hour final procedure, achieving a triumphant outcome.