The rumors are true: The Jamaican conjoined twins Azaria and Azora Elson have been successfully separated in a complex and historic surgery that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The surgical team, part of the renowned Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, performed a five-hour intricate operation at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital to separate the twins, who were joined at the abdomen and shared a liver but had separate vascular systems.
The surgery marked the 67th successful separation conducted by this world-leading program, which has cared for over 150 twins from 28 countries. The operation involved over 90 multidisciplinary medical professionals, including 26 surgeons and nurses, with months of careful evaluation and preparation prior to the procedure.
The twins were born via C-section in November 2023 and were admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies before traveling to Saudi Arabia for the separation. The parents and family expressed immense gratitude for the expertise and hospitality shown by the Saudi medical team and government, which played a vital role in this life-changing milestone.
Currently, both twins are stable, though one will require further heart surgery for an unrelated condition. The successful separation brings hope not just for the twins but also for families facing similar challenges worldwide. The operation showcases the remarkable advancements in pediatric surgery and international medical cooperation.