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Experience in the management of conjoined twins
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK. L.Spitz@ich.acl.ac.uk
Background:
Conjoined twins occur in approximately one in 200 000 live births. Their management is often extremely complex and experience with large numbers is restricted to a few centres worldwide.
Methods:
An analysis of 17 sets of symmetrical conjoined twins managed by a single team of surgeons over a 16-year period was undertaken.
Results:
Management could be divided into three groups. Those in group 1 (n = 5) had non-operative management, owing to cardiac fusion or gross anatomical union, and all died. Those in group 2 (n = 7) underwent emergency separation, when one twin was dead or threatening the survival of the sibling or where there was a correctable life-threatening associated anomaly (four of 14 survived). Twins in group 3 (n = 5) underwent elective separation, allowing time for detailed preoperative investigation and planning (eight of ten survived).
Conclusion:
Accurate preoperative investigation, a team approach, previous experience, and meticulous operative and postoperative management contributed to the success rate achieved in this series.