Incredible news.
Doctors have successfully separated conjoined twins Bernardo and Arthur Lima.
The 3-year-old twins’ brains were fused together.
However, doctors in Rio de Janeiro successfully separated the twins after multiple complex operations.
The boys underwent seven operations. They also received two and half years of specialist medical treatment.
The brothers will now undergo six months of rehabilitation.
Gemini Untwined issued a statement following the successful surgeries.
“Arthur and Bernardo were born craniopagus in a rural part of Northern Brazil in 2018.
The boys’ parents Adriely and Antonio Lima travelled to Rio de Janeiro after their birth.
The conjoined twins were treated at the Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer for two and a half years.
Doctors were previously told that the surgery was impossible.
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The Gemini Untwined team, led by Dr. Jeelani worked alongside the team in Rio. Together they helped prepare for the life-changing surgery.
The team said the procedure was “the most challenging” because the boys shared vital veins in the brain.
However, despite the risks and concerns, all seven separate surgeries were successful. The final two surgeries took 33 hours alone.
Over 100 medical staff were part of the team that successfully operated on the boys.
Dr. Jeelani stated, “As a parent myself, it is always such a special privilege to be able to improve the outcome for these children.”
“Not only have we provided a new future for the boys and their family, but we have equipped the local team with the capabilities and confidence to undertake such complex work successfully again in the future.”
He added: “The successful separation of Bernardo and Arthur is a remarkable achievement.”
The boys will be celebrating their fourth birthday soon.
One in 60,000 births results in conjoined twins, but only 5% are craniopagus twins.
Feature Image: Gemini Untwined
