In an incredible medical feat that has left the world in awe, a team of 30 doctors from India and various countries have successfully initiated the separation of conjoined twins Jaga and Kalia, who have been joined at the head since birth. This remarkable procedure, although still a work in progress, represents a ray of hope for the twins and their family, with the next day holding the confirmation of their future.
A Mother’s Unexpected Journey
Two-year-old boys Jaga and Kalia, originally named Honey and Singh, entered the world with an 80% risk of death due to their unique condition. In March 2015, their mother, Pushpanjali Kanhar, a 25-year-old resident of Orissa, India, was shocked when she saw her two newborn children fused together at the head, a situation she had never anticipated during her pregnancy. Despite the Orissa state government’s promise to provide assistance, no hospital was equipped to address this challenging medical issue, leaving the family to care for the twins at home.
The Initial Stages
Fast forward to August 28 this year, when the first phase of the surgical procedure took place. During this operation, doctors created connecting blood vessels from the common vessels that supply blood from the heart to the brain for the two babies. Dr. Swapneshwar Gadnayak, one of the medical experts involved, explained that these twins were known as craniopagus twins, with two separate brains but physically joined at the head. While similar cases have been successfully separated in the past, it becomes incredibly challenging when they share the same brain.
A Father’s Desperate Quest
The twins’ father, Bhuan Kanhar, a farmer earning a meager monthly income of 1,600 rupees, tried every possible way to seek treatment for his children but was left feeling helpless due to their impoverished circumstances. “The family was so poor, I lost all hope and was forced to watch them suffer like that for two years,” he said.
A Glimmer of Hope
The Kanhar family includes two other healthy sons, aged 9 and 6, who dream of seeing all four children living and playing together. On October 26, that dream took a significant step forward as 30 doctors at a Delhi hospital spent 16 hours in an unprecedented surgical procedure to separate the heads of Jaga and Kalia, marking the first operation of its kind in India.
A Rare Challenge
During the surgery, it was revealed that the two babies shared brain tissue and blood vessels, an exceptionally rare condition occurring in only about one in three million births. The twins faced numerous health issues, with Jaga suffering from heart disease, while Kalia had kidney disease. The critical phase of their recovery lies ahead, and the next 18 days will be pivotal in determining the success of their separation.
The Road Ahead
As the twins’ journey towards recovery continues, doctors face the challenge of providing enough skin to cover both heads, as the separation surgery left significant gaps in their skulls. Maneesh Singhal, a plastic surgery expert, shared that the next step would be the reconstruction of their skulls.
The story of Jaga and Kalia is a testament to the unbreakable bond of family, the tenacity of medical professionals, and the power of hope. As the world watches and waits, their miraculous journey offers inspiration and a reminder that the human spirit can overcome even the most formidable challenges.
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