Just over a month after delicate separation surgery, a new life has begun for the Siamese twins from Burkina Faso who underwent surgery last June 6 at the Gaslini Institute in Genoa. The girls, born in December 2024 and joined in the thoraco-abdominal region, shared a liver and part of the pericardium. After complex surgery and a careful postoperative phase, both are now extubated, breathing independently and showing a stable and promising clinical course. The surgery was made possible thanks to the extraordinary network of international solidarity and collaboration. Supporting the course of care were the association Una Voce per Padre Pio and the Patrons of the World's Children Hospital, which enabled the twins' transfer to Italy and their care at Gaslini. More than 50 professionals - including doctors, nurses and technicians - worked side by side for months, planning every step down to the smallest detail. The complex work involved anesthesiologists-reanimators, cardiac surgeons, pediatric surgeons, hepato-surgeons, plastics and perfusion technicians. After separation, the twins remained in the ICU, where they were constantly monitored and underwent a delicate course of abdominal and thoracic wall reconstruction, including the use of biocompatible matrices and advanced negative pressure therapies. Also decisive was the interdisciplinary collaboration between several Italian hospitals: from San Martino Hospital in Genoa to Spedali Civili in Brescia to Villa Scassi, all contributed their expertise. From abroad, three doctors from the University Hospital Center of Ouagadougou came to Italy to assist with the surgery, strengthening the link between Italy and Burkina Faso.
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