The perioperative management of conjoined twins poses unique anatomic, physiologic, logistic, and even ethical challenges, necessitating a multidisciplinary team approach. We present a case of omphalopagus conjoined twins separated at the second month of life (39 2/7 weeks post-conceptual age). This paper highlights significant components in the anesthetic management of conjoined twins for separation surgery, in light of modern medicine and technological advancements.

Human ; Infant: 1-23 Months ; Twins, Conjoined ; Anesthesia

Conjoined twins are one of the most intriguing malformations in human beings. This report describes the anesthetic management of a two-day-old pretermomphalopagus conjoined twins posted for an emergency diverting colostomy for imperforate anus. These conjoined twins were born to a primigravid via cesarean section for fetal indication. They were born preterm at 36 weeks age of gestation with a collective birth weight of4.1 kg and an APGAR score 89. Computerized tomography scan of the chest and abdomen revealed Omphalopagus twins with left lower lobe atelectasis for Twin 2, fused liver, separate stomach and small intestines with distal fusion, imperforate anus, horseshoe kidney, bladder fistula, and the shared lower extremity appears to derive its blood supply from Twin 1. Evaluation of cross-circulation between the twins was done pre-induction by giving atropine IV to Twin 1. Atropine flush and increase in heart rate were noted in Twin 1, however, were not appreciated in Twin 2. Anesthesia for conjoined twins can be the most daunting and intimidating procedure that an anesthesiologist can handle in his lifetime. We highlight the challenges encountered with anesthesia preparation, preoperative planning, positioning, airway management, preservation of hemodynamic stability, as well as monitoring in an emergency setting.
Twins, Conjoined ; Cross Circulation

The perioperative management of conjoined twins poses unique anatomic, physiologic, logistic, and even ethical challenges, necessitating a multidisciplinary team approach. We present a case of omphalopagus conjoined twins separated at the second month of life (39 2/7 weeks post-conceptual age). This paper highlights significant components in the anesthetic management of conjoined twins for separation surgery, in light of modern medicine and technological advancements.
Human ; twins ; conjoined ; anesthesia

A 16-year-old primigravida, at 33 weeks and 5 days age of gestation came in due to preterm labor. Sonographic examination revealed an incidental finding of a mass attached to the sacrococcygeal area. The mass has a cystic and solid component diagnosed as sacrococcygeal teratoma. Attached to the mass were two lower extremity structures identified as femurs with feet and was considered as an underdeveloped parasitic twin. A classical cesarean section was performed because of the advanced preterm labor, and a live female infant weighing 2500 g was delivered. The parasitic lower limbs, however, inadvertently detached during delivery. There was a high index of suspicion because of a larger fundic height of 37 cm compared to the age of gestation and the difficult palpation on Leopold's maneuver. Accuracy of ultrasound findings helped the obstetricians to a timely and prepared for delivery.
Teratoma ; Twins, Conjoined

No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Twins, Conjoined*

A 21-year old woman, G1P0, was referred for further prenatal check-up with sonographic examination revealing conjoined twins at 29 weeks age of gestation. The fetuses were in breech presentation positioned face-to-face with fusion at the level of the thoraces and gastric bubble suggestive of thoracoomphalopagus twins. There was a definite communication between the two fetal circulations at the ventricular level as seen on fetal echocardiogram with a single cardiac rhythm shared between the two hearts. Close antenatal and fetal surveillance was done during the entire pregnancy duration. The patient was counseled about therapeutic options and explained of the complexity of their cardiac anatomy. The twins were delivered by cesarean section at 35 weeks due to preterm labor and a neonatal 2D-echocardiogram was done shortly after to re-assess their cardiac anatomy. Since the results revealed a shared ventricle, the twins were considered inseparable. The family was apprised of their poor prognosis and opted for natural death to occur.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Breech Presentation ; Twins, Conjoined ; Gastric Balloon ; Cesarean Section ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Echocardiography ; Ultrasonography ; Fetus ; Prognosis

Although thoracopagus twins joined at the upper chest are the most common type of conjoined twins, the separation surgery in these cases has a higher mortality rate. Here, we describe an anesthetic management approach for the separation of thoracopagus conjoined twins sharing parts of a congenitally defective heart and liver. We emphasize the importance of vigilant intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring for early detection of unexpected events. Specifically, real-time continuous monitoring of cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy allowed us to promptly detect cardiac arrest and hemodynamic deterioration.
Heart ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver ; Mortality ; Oximetry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Thorax ; Twins, Conjoined

Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery

Monocephalus tripus tribrachius, a type of conjoined twins with one head and three upper and lower extremities, is a rare congenital disorder. To date, no long-term follow-up results of surgical procedures for this condition have been reported in Korean literature. We experienced a case of monocephalus tripus tribrachius, which had been surgically managed with an accessory lower limb disarticulation and pelvic bone reconstruction to manage this accessory limb and accompanying comorbidities in hip joint and pelvis. Subsequently, ipsilateral Syme amputation was done for intractable deformity of foot, and later, ipsilateral femoral varus derotational osteotomy was done for inadequate coverage of femoral head observed in follow-up. We report 18-year follow-up results of the procedures with a review of literatures.
Amputation ; Comorbidity ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; Disarticulation* ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Foot ; Head ; Hip Joint ; Lower Extremity* ; Osteotomy ; Pelvic Bones* ; Pelvis ; Twins, Conjoined

OBJECTIVETo analyze and summarize the medical treatment experience following separation of thoracopagus conjoined twins.

METHODThe clinical manifestations and the medical therapy of a pair of thoracopagus conjoined twins were analyzed. The conjunction of the female twins was from 5 cm above the nipple to the umbilicus. They also suffered from complex congenital heart diseases. At the 17th day of their lives, they were surgically separated. One girl died after the operation, the other survived but experienced heart failure, sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction (including liver, blood and kidney et al). In order to protect or maintain the main organ function, the vital signs and the objective indexes were monitored continually, such as blood routine test, C reactive protein, hepatorenal function, bacterial culture, and galactomannan test, blood gas analysis and chest radiogram.

CONCLUSIONIt is important to protect the main organ function and prevent or control infection. The early surgical correction of congenital heart disease may contribute to recovery of the children.

Abdomen ; abnormalities ; Abnormalities, Multiple ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Thorax ; abnormalities ; Treatment Outcome ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery