Management of xiphopagus conjoined twins with small bowel obstruction

A set of xiphopagus conjoined twins with prematurity, exomphalos, and intestinal obstruction was separated successfully. Preoperative evaluation included computerised axial tomography, 99mTc-HIDA scan, and barium enema. Major hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal anomalies were encountered. One twin is alive and well today. The other twin died one week postoperatively from sepsis. Postmortem studies showed she had a severe cardiac anomaly incompatible with normal life.