[Conjoined omphalopagous twins separated at fifteen days of age].

BACKGROUND

Conjoined (siamese) twins represent a rare situation which may occur in 1 of every 50,000 births. A prenatal diagnosis usually leads to stopping pregnancy. We report a case with successful surgical separation at the age of 15 days.

CASE REPORT

Ultrasonographic examination at 20 weeks of gestation showed omphalopagus siamese joined at the abdomen from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus. Conjoined structures included liver. There was a multicystic right kidney in one twin, without other malformation. Karyotype was normal, 46XX. The mother refused interruption of her pregnancy. Both girls were born by cesarean section. Angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and intravenous urography confirmed the ultrasound examination. There was no cross circulation into the liver and the gastrointestinal tract was not conjoined. The twins were separated at 15 days of age with right heminephrectomy of the multicystic kidney. The girls are now 16 months old and are in very good health.

CONCLUSION

Prognosis of siamese twins depends on the nature of joined structures and presence of malformations. Ultrasonographic examination during pregnancy shows the possibility of surgical separation, which is performed by a double anesthetic and surgical pediatric team. Preoperative investigations must include MRI.