Special team to treat Dhenkanal conjoined twins in Sishu Bhawan

Surjit Kumar Dhal, Cuttack, July 3: Authority of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (SVPPGIP) or Sishu Bhawan on Tuesday formed a special team of doctors for the treatment of conjoined twin sisters, who were born at Dhenkanal district headquarters hospital on Monday and later shifted to the premier Paediatrics hospital of the state.

        “The 7-member special team consists of doctors from pediatric surgery, pediatric medicine, new born wing, ICU team and cardiology department,” said Sishu Bhawan Superintendent Dr. Saroj Kumar Satapathy adding that the team would be headed by Dr Hiranya Mohanty.

The thoracopagus conjoined twins who appear to have been sharing a single heart with same pulse and blood pressure are kept under close observation, he added.

“The babies are unstable and need oxygen. They cannot be shifted now. Hence all routine tests and necessary investigations will be carried out here as per the plan and suggestion of the team,” said Satapathy.

Usually, it is very difficult to separate twins sharing one heart. Even there is low success rate in the surgery, he opined.