Riyadh:The medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program has commenced the separation surgery of 13-month-old Fijian conjoined twins Jasepeli and Desicia at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital. This operation follows directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and head of the surgical team, stated that the twins arrived in Saudi Arabia on July 21, 2026. After conducting a comprehensive assessment, including medical examinations and consultations, it was determined that the twins are conjoined at the abdomen and pelvis, sharing several vital organs.
The procedure is planned to be executed in nine stages over approximately 15 hours, involving 34 professionals, including consultants, specialists, and nursing staff. The operation is complex, with an estimated success rate of 70%.
This surgery is the first of its kind for conjoined twins from Fiji and marks the 74th case undertaken by the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program. Since its inception in 1990, the program has assisted 159 sets of conjoined twins from 28 countries worldwide.
