In a remarkable medical feat, a team of 60 doctors in Ankara, Turkiye, successfully separated 11-month-old conjoined twins, Mirha and Minal, after an intense 14-hour surgery.
Born in Pakistan with their heads fused together, the twins had slim chances of survival until their family sought help from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This led to a heartwarming collaboration that offered the family renewed hope.
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Initially, the family approached London-based pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Owase Jeelani, who believed the separation was possible but found the costs in the UK prohibitive. Deeply moved, Dr. Jeelani reached out to President Erdogan, who swiftly arranged for the girls to receive treatment in Türkiye.
In May, Mirha and Minal were transferred to Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara, where they were placed under close observation. The complex surgery, carried out in two phases, was led by Dr. Jeelani, along with Turkish surgeons Dr. Harun Demirci and Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani, who worked tirelessly to give the girls a new chance at life.
The final stage of the procedure took place on July 19, successfully separating the twins who had been joined at the skull since birth.
Dr. Aziz Ahmet Surel, the hospital’s chief physician, highlighted the international collaboration between Turkish and British teams, calling it a “successful exchange of knowledge and expertise.” He added, “Seeing the babies now, healthy and smiling, compared to their conjoined state when they arrived, brings indescribable joy.”
Dr. Namik Yasar Ozbek, head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, emphasized the immense teamwork needed to address the neurological and physical challenges faced by the conjoined twins. “Due to their condition, the babies struggled with sitting and hand movements. However, following surgery and support from neurologists, physical therapists, and neurodevelopmental experts, these issues have been resolved. Now, they are gaining head control and starting to use their hands and arms. In 10 days, they will celebrate their first birthdays separately,” Ozbek stated.
Reconstructive surgeon Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani elaborated on the careful planning that included a balloon tissue expansion technique to ensure there was enough tissue to cover the twins’ brains after separation.
“We placed a material in their heads to gradually expand the tissue over two months,” he explained. “When the separation was successful, the entire medical team cheered. It was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life.”
Initially, the twins faced difficulties adjusting to being separated, so they were placed in the same room and bed to ease their transition. Dr. Demirci shared that the twins are now in good health and are expected to be discharged within two to three weeks, with regular follow-ups to track their development.
“They were uncomfortable at first, so we kept them together for a while. Eventually, they adapted. Their health is now excellent, and we plan to discharge them in two to three weeks, with ongoing check-ups to monitor their brain and bone growth,” Dr. Demirci said.
For the twins’ parents, Rehan Ali and Nazia Parveen, the experience has been life-changing. They expressed heartfelt thanks to President Erdogan, Dr. Jeelani, and the entire medical team, hoping for the chance to meet President Erdogan in person to express their gratitude.
“We are overjoyed and deeply grateful to everyone involved. We hope to thank President Erdogan personally,” said Ali.
Dr. Jeelani reflected on the global collaboration that made the successful separation of Mirha and Minal possible, highlighting the unity that brought people together to help the twins.
“This is not just about Mirha and Minal; it’s about how the world should come together when children are in need,” he said. “This was a wonderful example of global unity. A heartfelt thank you to Türkiye, the Ministry of Health, and every doctor, nurse, and professional involved. This is how things should be done.”
