A medical team in Switzerland has successfully carried out an extremely complex surgery to separate conjoined twin girls who were only eight days old, setting a historic medical precedent — they are the youngest babies ever to undergo such a procedure.
The twins, Lydia and Maya, were born eight weeks prematurely at Inselspital Hospital in Bern. They were joined at the chest and shared a liver. Although their other vital organs were functioning independently, their condition became increasingly critical. Doctors decided they could not wait several months, as originally planned, and instead moved quickly to perform the surgery.
The operation came with an estimated one-percent chance of success, making the achievement even more extraordinary. The team included specialists in pediatric surgery, neonatology, and anesthesiology. The entire procedure lasted several hours.
According to the hospital’s report, the most delicate part of the operation was the separation of the shared liver, while the rest of the organs functioned normally. After the surgery, the babies were placed in the intensive care unit for close monitoring. Doctors said that both infants are recovering well and that their vital signs remain stable.
The twins’ parents expressed their deep gratitude to the medical team, calling the outcome a true “gift of life.”
This medical breakthrough has drawn global attention to the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating highly complex cases. It also highlights how far neonatal surgery has advanced in recent years.
Experts emphasize that such successful operations are still rare, but the knowledge and experience gained from this case could help doctors and newborns around the world facing similar life-threatening challenges.
