Saudi Arabia successfully separates Tanzanian conjoined twins in 14.5-hour surgery

Saudi Arabia achieved a monumental medical feat by successfully separating Tanzanian conjoined twins Lateens and Lovens in a 14.5-hour surgical operation at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh. This marks the 75th successful separation in the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, with this being the fourth case involving Tanzanian conjoined twins.

The intricate nine-stage surgery was performed by a team of 44 consultants, specialists, nurses, and technical personnel across various medical fields, including anesthesia, pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, urology, and plastic surgery. The twins, aged two and a half, were originally joined at the pelvis and hips, sharing parts of their intestines, spine, lumbar vertebrae, and spinal cord, with each having two lower limbs.

They arrived in Saudi Arabia on January 27, 2026, after undergoing comprehensive medical assessments. The operation, estimated to have a 70% success rate, was a testament to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program's extensive experience evaluating 160 cases from 29 countries since its inception in 1990. The procedure, directed by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, was a collaborative effort supported by Saudi leadership, highlighting the program's commitment to providing specialized care and improving global pediatric health outcomes.

The twins' mother expressed profound gratitude to Saudi Arabia and the medical team for their life-changing contributions.