Conjoined Twins Connected at Pelvis Separated After 18-Hour Surgery

by

One family is celebrating a medical miracle.

Ally and El Albalushi, twin sisters, were born joined at the hips. However, a surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital in February successfully separated them. The twins, who are now 22 months old, were 15 months old when the operation took place.

Conjoined twins are uncommon, according to Dr. Caitlin A. Smith, co-director of the Reconstructive Pelvis Medicine program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Twins connected at the pelvis, like Ally and El, are particularly rare, she explained in a press release on September 17th.

Dr. Smith described the surgery to separate the twins as very complex, but expressed confidence in a successful outcome because she had a skilled and experienced team.

She explained they frequently consider surgical options, but this particular case demanded an even greater degree of collaboration and coordinated effort.

Sam Albalushi, the girls’ mother, was relieved to know her family had found the right doctors to help them.

In a statement, she shared that meeting with Dr. Smith and the team at Seattle Children’s Hospital for a surgical consultation immediately put her family at ease. She and her husband were very impressed with the team’s skill and caring approach, which made their decision to have the surgery there straightforward.

Planning for the survey began in October 2024. A team of more than 30 healthcare professionals – including surgeons specializing in children, urologists, gynecologists, plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, orthopedists, as well as nurses and technicians – collaborated to carefully plan all aspects of the survey.

Before the surgery, doctors used detailed scans like MRIs, X-rays, and endoscopies to map out the twins’ anatomy and identify which organs they shared. During the 18-hour operation, surgeons carefully made incisions in the area where the twins’ abdomens and pelves joined, and then worked to separate their digestive, reproductive, and urinary systems.

The surgeon said the feeling of relief after successfully separating the twins was immense. Both babies received the care they needed, a result of the team’s hard work and dedication to Ally and El’s well-being.

Sam is thrilled with how quickly her daughters, born in November 2023, are bouncing back after surgery, thanks to ongoing occupational, speech, and physical therapy.

Sam shared how amazing it is to watch their twin daughters develop – learning to crawl, picking up new words, and showing their unique personalities. They are thrilled with the care their daughters receive at Seattle Children’s, and feel confident they made the best choice for their family.

Read More

2025-09-19 23:17