SA.In one of the most astonishing medical triumphs of our time, conjoined twins Abigail and Micaela have finally been separated after a relentless 24-hour operation at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. For nine months, the sisters lived fused at the head—a condition so rare that only a handful of surgeries have ever succeeded. What followed inside the operating room was a race against time: more than 30 surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialists working in perfect synchrony, navigating millimeters of shared veins, brain tissue, and life-sustaining vessels. Every decision carried impossible stakes. When the final cut was made, the room fell silent—and then erupted in relief.
In a groundbreaking medical feat, conjoined twins Abigail and Micaela have been successfully separated after a grueling 24-hour surgery at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. The twins, who shared a head for the first nine months of their lives, underwent an unprecedented procedure that involved a surgical team of over 30 specialists, intense planning, and high-stakes decision-making.
The operation commenced at 7:53 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2020, following months of meticulous preparation. The surgical team, equipped with advanced tools and a custom-built operating room, faced the monumental task of dividing the twins’ shared anatomy. Pediatric anesthesiologist Raj Dhamrait led the team, ensuring the twins’ vital functions were monitored throughout the marathon surgery, which was expected to last up to 48 hours.
As the team navigated the complexities of the twins’ shared veins and brain structures, they encountered unexpected challenges. During a critical moment, the neurosurgery team faced a daunting discovery: the connection between the twins was obscured by a tough membrane, complicating their plan. With the risk of a massive brain bleed looming, the surgeons made the high-pressure decision to proceed with caution, successfully cutting the fistula and marking a significant turning point in the surgery.
After 20 hours of intense labor, the moment of triumph arrived at 3:28 a.m. when the surgeons successfully achieved cranial separation. For the first time, Abigail and Micaela lay in separate beds, a milestone celebrated with tears of joy from the surgical team. Dr. Granger Wong, who led the skull reconstruction, expressed relief and pride at the accomplishment, noting the Herculean effort put forth by the entire team.
By 7:49 a.m., nearly 24 hours after the twins entered the operating room, they emerged as two distinct individuals, ready for the next phase of their lives. Their mother, Liliya, who had been anxiously awaiting news outside the hospital, was overwhelmed with emotion upon learning that her daughters had been successfully separated.
Now, Abigail and Micaela face a long recovery in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, but the journey to independence has begun. This remarkable surgery not only transforms the lives of the twins but also showcases the extraordinary capabilities of modern medicine, leaving a lasting impact on the medical community and the families who have followed their story. As the sun rose over the hospital, it marked not just a new day but a new life for these brave little girls.
