Successful separation of thoraco-omphalopagus and ischiopagus tetrapus twins in Korea

Abstract

A pair of male thoraco-omphalopagus twins with common liver, diaphragm, pericardium, and sternum was separated at the age of 59 days after a parasitic relationship had developed between them. Before separation one baby developed acute renal failure during which he had no edema and had normal serum electrolytes, urea nitrogen, and creatinine due to “autodialysis” by the other baby. The boys have now grown normally to the age of 6 years. A pair of female ischiopagus tetrapus twins who had a common terminal ileum and colon with imperforate anus was separated at the age of 20 h. The smaller baby had congenital multiple arthrogryposis of both lower extremities, a fracture at the middle of the left femur, and a double vagina with hydrocolpos due to an imperforate hymen of the right vagina and a rectovaginal fistula on the left. Posterior sagittal rectoplasties were performed at 7 months of age in both babies. They have normal bowel movements. All four children are alive and developing normally. These are the first two case reports of successfully separated conjoined twins in Korea.