With Virtual Reality Technology... Successful Separation Surgery of Siamese Twins in Brazil

"Saving Both Was a Historic Achievement"
Extremely Rare Case of 'Craniopagus Conjoined Twins'
Medical Team Uses VR Technology for Surgical Rehearsal

Siamese twins Bernardo and Arthur.
Photo by Jenny Me Untwined homepage capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] In Brazil, a successful separation surgery of conjoined twins was achieved after practicing the surgery using virtual reality (VR).

On the 1st (local time), according to AFP and others, the affiliated hospital of the Paulo Niemeyer National Institute of Brain Research (IECPN) in Brazil successfully performed the separation surgery of 3-year-old Arthur and Bernardo under the guidance of British neurosurgeon Dr. Nowloul Owasee Gilani.

The two babies, born in 2018 in Roraima, northern Brazil, were craniopagus twins, conjoined at the skull and blood vessels, a case known to be extremely rare worldwide.

According to 'Gemini Untwined,' a UK medical charity founded by Dr. Gilani, conjoined twins occur once in every 60,000 births, and only 5% of these are craniopagus twins.

The twins underwent a total of seven surgeries, including the final separation surgery. The last two surgeries lasted 33 hours, involving 100 medical staff.

A separation surgery of 'craniopagus twins' sharing a head and brain was successful in Brazil.
Photo by AFP.

As a rare case involving conjoined twins sharing brain nerves, the risk of death during surgery was very high. Neurosurgeon Gabriel Mufare, who performed the surgery, said, "It was the most difficult, complex, and challenging surgery of my career," adding, "At first, no one believed this was possible, but saving both is a historic achievement."

The medical team revealed that VR technology was instrumental in the surgery. Previously, doctors from Brazil and the UK collaborated and first met in a virtual reality operating room created based on CT and MRI scans. They practiced for months in virtual reality while wearing headsets.

Dr. Gilani said, "VR is truly 'ultra-modern,'" adding, "It's simply amazing. Being able to look at anatomical maps and perform surgery before putting the children at risk is really beneficial." He continued, "You can imagine how reassuring it is for surgeons. Our surgical model can be replicated in other surgeries with low success rates, and I believe it should be."

Meanwhile, the medical team explained that the twins are currently recovering and may require additional surgeries in the future. They have difficulty speaking, and Bernardo has motor impairment on the right side of his body.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.