First-of-its-kind surgery in Mpumalanga to save two conjoined twins out of triplets

Kiaat Private Hospital performed the surgery earlier today, December 1.

Conjoined twins, five days old, went into surgery for urgent separation at Kiaat Private Hospital today in what can only be described as a monumental milestone for the hospital.

The two, who were born as part of triplets to a 27-year-old mother in Emalahleni Tertiary Hospital last week, are now recovering with their mother in the hospital’s neonatal ICU following the major operation.

The surgery was led by Dr Elliot Motloung, head of paediatric surgery in Mpumalanga.

Kiaat Hospital’s marketing manager, Candice Peterson, said after the triplets’ delivery, it was discovered that two of them were joined at their abdomens, each weighing just under 1kg.

“The five-day-olds were airlifted to Kiaat Private Hospital neonatal ICU on Wednesday November 30 for a preoperative assessment and preparations for their life-saving surgery,” said Peterson.

“The separation of the two is a first-of-its-kind surgery for Mpumalanga and as Kiaat Private Hospital we were honoured to have our in-house pediatricians, Dr Patrick Shibambu and Dr Riaan Louw, and our anaesthetists, Dr Munyaradzi Jambaya and Dr Vuyo November, to assist our valued paediatric surgeon, Dr Motloung, with this operation.

“They were also joined by a paediatric surgeon, Prof Nyaweleni Tshifolaro, and two specialist anaesthetists, Dr Hwanano Samuel Habanga and Dr Lerato Ramatlotlo from Gauteng.

“This is a monumental milestone for our facility and nursing staff and just the beginning of what is to come in changing the lives of young children across the province,” she said.

Read Thursday’s Lowvelder for the full story.