In a matter of months, Ervina and Prefina Bangalo, a twin born conjoined will return home as normal kids. An operation at the Vatican’s pediatric hospital to separate them was successful and doctors say they will make full recovery. Before being separated, the twins lived in a condition called Total posterior craniopagus where they were joined at their skull.
The Bambino Gesù Hospital said the operation that separated the twins joined at their skull is the first of its kind in Italy. CNN also confirms that it is the first time in the world such operation is successful on twins.
The operation took place in three stages with the neurosurgeons first working on separating and rebuilding the membranes and venous systems. The second stage focused on the intricacies of the sinus in the brain and was one of the most challenging. The last stage was on June 5 and lasting 18 hours with over 30 medical staff.
Dr Carlo Efisio Marras, director of neurosurgery of the Bambino Gesù hospital who commented on the successful operation had this to say: “We have been able to accomplish an extraordinary result despite such a complex malformation, being able to separate with an optimal clinical result.”
He also gave further details of the accomplishment saying it was the result of over a yearlong investigation and preparation. Several specialities and professionals within the hospital were involved.
Total Posterior Craniopagus
Total posterior craniopagus is a rare forms of cranial and cerebral fusion. It took neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and plastic surgeons to make the Total Posterior Craniopagus operation a success.
The twins still need therapy to learn certain body motions that they were unable to perform previously.
Mariella Enoc, president of the Bambino Gesù, who brought the twin to Rome had visited Bangui the capital of the Central African Republic in July 2018 where she met them. Ermine Nzotto, the mother of the twins expressed her gladness.
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