JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — A pair of 20-month-old conjoined twins from Jamaica, Azaria and Azora Elson, have been successfully separated in a complex surgical operation at King Abdullah Children’s Hospital. The twins, who were joined at the lower chest, abdomen, and shared a single liver, travelled thousands of miles to undergo the life-saving procedure.
What Happened
The separation surgery took place after careful planning by a specialist team led by Dr Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah. One of the twins had a severe congenital heart defect with a cardiac pumping capacity of less than 20%, making the operation particularly high-risk.
Dr Al-Rabeeah described the procedure as “very challenging” but expressed relief and pride at its success. The surgery lasted approximately five hours, during which the team carefully separated the twins while ensuring both could survive independently.
Family Reactions
The twins’ mother, Ayesha Elson, watched the operation on a screen from a nearby room. Overcome with emotion at the successful outcome, she reportedly had “tears of joy” at seeing her daughters safe and separated.
Dr Al-Rabeeah said, “Her response, her emotions, it touched my heart a lot. For her, it was tears of happiness. It was a breath of success, and this means a lot to me.”
Medical Program and Legacy
The successful separation of Azaria and Azora marks the 67th twin separation under this specialized surgical program, which has treated 152 conjoined twins from 28 countries over the past 35 years. The program is renowned for its expertise in handling complex conjoined twin cases, including those with shared vital organs and additional medical complications.
The operation is hailed as a life-changing milestone for the twins and a testament to the skill, dedication, and coordination of the surgical team. Both Azaria and Azora are now under post-operative care and will continue to receive monitoring and support to ensure their recovery and long-term health.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
