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.
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.
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.
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.
“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).
“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.”
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.
