RIYADH — In a seven-stage, seven-hour operation involving 28 doctors, experts, nurses, and other medical professionals, a specialized surgical team successfully separated Saudi conjoined twins who were joined at the hip and shared the spinal cord and its membranes.

The surgery was carried out in Riyadh on Thursday following orders from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), who also heads the medical and surgical team for surgical separation of conjoined twins, stated that this procedure was the 53rd to be carried out as part of the Saudi program to separate conjoined twins.

The Saudi initiative has been able to care for 127 conjoined twins from 23 friendly countries in 32 years. The program highlights Saudi Arabia's innovative role in humanitarian assistance, specifically in the medical field.

After the muscles and nerves were checked to assure their safety and to cover the wounds, the twins were moved to the pediatric intensive care unit and will be under surveillance there for the next two days

The medical team extended its profound gratitude and appreciation to King Salman and the Crown Prince for the significant assistance given to the Saudi effort to separate conjoined twins. They also wished the twins rapid recovery. — SPA