Breaking New Ground: Saudi Arabia's Conjoined Twins Conference

Global Experts Gather in Riyadh for Conjoined Twins Conference

“I commend Saudi Arabia for its leadership in organizing this important World Conjoined Twins Conference.”

International medical experts converge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the world's first conference on conjoined twins, promoting global cooperation and advancing medical care for this rare condition.

The world's first-ever international conference on conjoined twins was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 24. The conference was chaired by Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Governor of Riyadh, who represented King Salman. Prince Faisal bin Bandar highlighted the accomplishments of the Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins (SSPCT), stating, “Since 1990, 143 cases of twins from 26 countries have been reviewed by my dear colleagues, who have successfully separated a total of 61 pairs of twins to date.”

This remarkable achievement showcases Saudi Arabia's leadership in the field of conjoined twin separation. The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has become a global authority, having reviewed 139 cases from 26 countries and successfully separating 61 pairs of twins.

The conference, hosted by the King Salman Center for Humanitarian Aid and Relief (KSrelief) and the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, brought together international medical experts, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders to share success stories, discuss challenges, and explore potential collaborations in conjoined twin separation.

The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has been recognized globally for its outstanding work in separating conjoined twins. The program's uniqueness lies in its focus on providing medical care and humanitarian aid to conjoined twins from around the world.

The program has successfully separated 61 pairs of twins from 26 countries since its inception in 1990. This remarkable achievement has earned Saudi Arabia a reputation as a leader in humanitarian medical initiatives.

In a significant development, the United Nations General Assembly is reviewing a proposal from Saudi Arabia to establish November 24 as the annual 'World Conjoined Twins Day.' This move aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by conjoined twins and promote their treatment, care, and well-being.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), commended Saudi Arabia for its leadership in hosting the World Conjoined Twins Conference. He stated, “I commend Saudi Arabia for its leadership in organizing this important World Conjoined Twins Conference.”

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), commended the initiative on conjoined twins as a shining example of international cooperation in tackling complex medical challenges. He noted that the conference provides critical insights, ranging from innovative surgical techniques to long-term strategies, which shape rare initiatives. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for a broader platform and registry for congenital anomalies, which would greatly benefit low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor-general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, delivered the keynote address at the conference. As the leader of the multidisciplinary team behind the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, Al-Rabeeah shared valuable insights into the prevalence and challenges faced by conjoined twins. His expertise and experience in this field provided a unique perspective on the medical and humanitarian aspects of conjoined twins.

“The first successful separation was by Johannes Fatio back in 1689 by using a constricting band for a set of Omphalopagus twins or those sharing liver and gastrointestinal organs.

“With a 0.5 percent incidence rate, this early success involved presumably, a small joining in the skin, probably a little bit of the liver, he said.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah highlighted a groundbreaking achievement in 1957, marking the first successful separation of Craniopagus twins, a rare condition where twins share a single brain.

Adding that, “In Western countries, it's been estimated that we get one conjoined twins in every 50 to 200,000 births.

“However, it is more prevalent in Southeast Asia and Africa, presumably because identical twinning and twinning is found more in dark-skinned people in Africa and also in Southeast Asia, increasing the incidence.”

The conference goes beyond scientific exchange, fostering discussions on forging global partnerships to support conjoined twins and their families, with a special focus on low- and middle-income countries.