Craniopagus conjoined twins Minal and Mirha were born sharing blood vessels and brain tissue
A remarkable procedure to separate one-year-old conjoined twins has been successfully completed, with virtual reality playing a vital and unexpected role in the 14-hour surgery.
British surgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani confirmed that sisters Minal and Mirha have been separated after undergoing a three-month-long surgical process. The craniopagus twins, meaning they were conjoined at the tops of their heads, are still in care but are reportedly on a solid path toward a full recovery.
Born with shared blood vessels and brain tissue, the surgery to separate the twins was both incredibly complex and dangerous.
On July 19, at just eight months old, the girls underwent the first of two operations at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital in Turkey.
Leading the medical team was Professor Jeelani, a pediatric neurosurgeon from London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, in collaboration with local medical professionals.
A key element in the success of the operation was the use of Mixed Reality (MR) technology, which provided the surgeons with an enhanced and detailed view of the patients' unique anatomy.
Microsoft defines MR as a "blend of physical and digital worlds," which "unlocks natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interactions."
For this surgery, MR allowed the surgical team to visualize the girls' condition more effectively and rehearse the complicated procedure beforehand.
In an interview with Sky News, Professor Jeelani emphasized how this technology was crucial for planning the marathon surgery.
It provided the team with better foresight and the ability to prepare for various complications.
Professor Jeelani, who has led several successful separations of conjoined twins over the years, shared positive news about the twins' progress.
"They should be in a position to go back to Pakistan in a few weeks," he said.
"To give these girls and their family a new future where they can live independently and enjoy their childhood is a special privilege."
The surgery was also a testament to the advanced medical expertise found in institutions like the NHS and University College London (UCL).
"A lot of the knowledge and skill required to undertake cases of this complexity is gained from the high volume of complex cases that we undertake within the NHS and UCL," Professor Jeelani said.
"It is a beautiful example of us sharing knowledge to benefit the wider world and a model for how things could and should be done."
In addition to his work at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Professor Jeelani is the founder of the Gemini Untwined charity, which specializes in supporting and treating conjoined twins. The charity played a significant role in funding the separation surgery for Minal and Mirha, ensuring they had access to the best care possible.
Statistically, conjoined twins occur in one out of every 60,000 births, with only about five percent being craniopagus twins like Minal and Mirha. Once they are fully recovered, the twins will be able to return home to Pakistan and begin their new lives.