Doctors separated conjoined twins
Conjoined Twins Separated and Thriving
Annabelle and Isabelle, born in Northern Ireland in March 2022,
were conjoined from the chest to the pelvis, sharing vital organs including liver, intestines, and bladder.
Each had only one leg, making separation extremely complex.
At 6 months old, a team of over 30 specialists performed an 18-hour surgery at University College Hospital,
London. Doctors had spent months preparing with scans, 3D models,
and virtual simulations to ensure both girls could survive independently.
After the surgery, the twins required weeks of intensive care and around 20 procedures to support healing and development.
Today, at age three, they are thriving: Annabelle is talkative and loves singing, while Isabelle is calm, active, and determined.
The sisters attend physiotherapy, use special orthoses,
and are preparing for prosthetic limbs, demonstrating resilience and the success of modern surgical care.
