Siamese twins are successfully separated after surgery in Brazil.
Conjoined twins Kiraz and Aruna, aged 1 year and 6 months, were successfully separated after a highly complex surgery lasting more than 15 hours. The procedure took place this Saturday (May 11) at the State Hospital for Children and Adolescents (HECAD) in Goiânia, Brazil.
The twins, born in the city of Igaraçu do Tietê in São Paulo state, were joined at the chest and pelvis and shared several vital organs, including the liver, intestines, genitals, and pelvic bones.
The surgery was led by pediatric surgeon and federal deputy Zacharias Calil (União-GO), a specialist in conjoined twin separations. According to the Goiás State Health Department, the operation mobilized a multidisciplinary team of 60 healthcare professionals, including anesthesiologists, plastic surgeons, urologists, and orthopedic specialists.
Surgery began Saturday morning and concluded early Sunday
The procedure began around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and continued into the night, with teams rotating throughout the day. The separation required extraordinary precision and coordination, particularly when dividing the shared organs. The operation concluded successfully at 1:24 a.m. on Sunday (May 12), fittingly on Mother’s Day in Brazil.
Dr. Calil shared an emotional moment on social media, posting a video of himself informing the parents that the separation had been completed. In the caption, he wrote:
“Today, on Mother’s Day, I experienced one of the most emotional moments of my career. Being able to look a mother in the eyes and say: ‘Your daughters are doing well — we made it’… it’s something you can’t explain, only feel.”
Next steps: reconstruction and post-op care
Following the separation, both girls remain hospitalized in recovery. They will undergo additional surgeries to reconstruct tissues and close the surgical openings. The medical team expects a gradual and carefully monitored recovery in the coming days.
The entire procedure was funded by Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS), highlighting the vital role of public investment in high-complexity medical care. The twins were admitted to the Goiânia hospital last Thursday (May 9) in preparation for the surgery.
Rare medical case highlights need for specialized care
Conjoined twin separation surgeries are extremely rare and require top-tier hospital infrastructure, extensive planning, and experienced multidisciplinary teams.
Dr. Calil, who has performed several such operations throughout his career, emphasized the importance of teamwork and the dedication of everyone involved.
These procedures represent not only medical milestones but also life-changing moments for families who have faced extraordinary challenges since birth.
