The medical team at Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital, affiliated with Emirates Health Services (EHS), successfully performed a cesarean section on a pregnant woman carrying conjoined twins. The pregnancy was diagnosed at the Family Health Promotion Center in Sharjah, an EHS facility, and the woman was referred to the hospital for monitoring and gave birth in a procedure that lasted half an hour.
The efficiency of the medical team at EHS played a crucial role in accurately diagnosing the condition and ensuring prompt follow-up. The woman began seeking care at the Family Health Promotion Center in Sharjah during a late stage of pregnancy. Necessary tests were conducted, confirming her pregnancy with conjoined twins. In her seventh month, she was referred to Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital, where they successfully delivered and monitored her.
Dr. Safiya Alkhajeh, Director of Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital, praised the exceptional medical team and qualified staff of EHS’ healthcare centers and hospitals. She commended their expertise in diagnosing and managing complex cases, including fetal abnormalities. Dr. Alkhajeh also highlighted the state-of-the-art fetal unit equipped with the latest medical devices, which played a significant role in monitoring this rare and unique case. It is worth noting that this case is the first of its kind recorded at the hospital within its short six-year operational period.
Dr. Safiya emphasized that this case receives exceptional care from the integrated medical team at the hospital, encompassing various specialties. Precise evaluation of the condition is carried out by specialized pediatric surgeons and neonatal intensive care physicians to determine the type of abnormalities. The medical team, formed to conduct all necessary examinations for future treatment, is also responsible for developing the upcoming treatment plan for the twins and performing the separation procedure.
Dr. Muna Khalfan Sabt, Consultant in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Fetal Medicine at Al Qassimi Women's & Children's Hospital, reported that the professional handling of the medical team, consisting of qualified specialists, contributed to the successful cesarean section and safe extraction of the conjoined twins without endangering their lives. The twins were conjoined in the lower abdominal area, making it challenging to extract them simultaneously without proper medical procedures. Dr. Sabt stated that the procedure took half an hour, which is the usual duration for a standard cesarean section. However, this was achieved by following the classical approach in performing the surgery.
The phenomenon of conjoined twins is considered a rare occurrence, with a frequency of approximately one in 50,000 to 60,000 births. Early and precise diagnosis of this condition is essential to facilitate a safe delivery and minimize any potential complications that may impact the health of both the mother and the newborns.