Twins Are Separated Using Virtual Reality Techniques by Surgeons.

Gemini Untwined released a statement Monday saying that the separation was “the most difficult to date.” It said that Arthur and Bernardo, who were almost four years old, were also the oldest twins in craniopagus with a fused brain and could be separated. This added to the difficulties.

The successful surgery was performed in June but the doctors with Great Ormond Street Hospital kept it secret to allow them to focus on the recovery of the boys. Francesca Eaton spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street Hospital Wednesday.

The Craniopagus conjoined kids have never sat, crawled, or walked before. They require intensive rehabilitation after surgery. Arthur and Bernardo will be in the hospital for six months and will celebrate their fourth birthday soon. Gemini Untwined stated that they look forward to seeing each other again, and their parents Adriely Lima and Antonio Lima.

Jeelani, who is a specialist in the separation of craniopagus twins called it “remarkable.”

He said that as a parent, it was a privilege to help improve the outcome of these children’s lives. We have not only provided a better future for the boys and their families, but we also gave the local team the confidence and capabilities to continue such difficult work in the future.

Jeelani said this week to British media that the final surgery had taken place “seven years ago”, but that it would take time to get a complete prognosis for the twins’ future, as older children are more difficult to heal. The surgery was also delayed by the coronavirus epidemic.

He told the Press Association that these operations were in some ways the most difficult of our time and that it was possible to perform them in virtual reality. Jeelani stated that the risks of the surgery were complicated by scar tissue from earlier operations on the boys.

 He said that virtual reality technology allowed surgeons to see the anatomy and perform procedures without putting children at risk. This was hugely “reassuring” for doctors. He said, “It was amazing to be able to help them on this journey.”

According to the Brazilian hospital, it will continue to collaborate with the British charity in order to treat similar cases of conjoined twins from South America.

Gabriel Mufarrej (head of pediatric surgery at Instituto Estadual do Cerebro Paulo Niemeyer) said, “This is the first Latin American surgery of this complexity.”

After more than two years of treatment, he said that the boys were now “part of our family” at the hospital. “We are thrilled that the surgery went well and that the boys and their families have experienced such a positive outcome.