AI Generated Image
Conjoined twin girls, 2, die in desperate surgical operation minutes after being separated
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- Twin 2-year-old sisters, Heloísa and Helena Batista da Silva, born joined at the head in Brazil, died minutes after a fifth surgery to separate them due to insufficient blood flow and heart attacks.
- The twins shared brain tissue and blood vessels, and their final 15-hour operation involved over 50 medical staff but resulted in hemodynamic instability and cardiac arrest shortly after separation.
- Prior to the last surgery, the sisters had undergone four successful operations, including separation of 75% of shared brain tissue and use of tissue expanders to prepare for skull closure.
- The medical team noted the twins had endured multiple health challenges such as pneumonia, tracheostomy, and feeding difficulties, which weakened their bodies before the final procedure.
- Despite the tragic outcome, the twins' father expressed gratitude to the doctors and hospital staff; the girls were buried on August 16 near their family home.
