Bandarlampung, Lampung (ANTARA) - At least 70 doctors will be involved in the first Siamese or conjoined twins surgery at the Abdoel Moeloek Regional General Hospital (RSUDAM) in Lampung, the hospital's director, Dr. Lukman Pura, stated here on Tuesday.

"The operation of the xipho-omphalopagus (sharing front chest) conjoined twins will be carried out on March 15," Pura revealed.

Reporting on the clinical conditions of the two conjoined twin babies named Aliah and Afifah, Pura confirmed that they are stable and healthy, and both celebrated their first birthday on February 4.

"At least 70 doctors will be involved in conducting this first conjoined twins' surgery, and in the past year, simulations and preparations had been conducted," he noted.

Meanwhile, head of the surgery team, Dr Billy Rosan, also confirmed the information.

"This team will involve 70 doctors from RSUDAM as the main operator and from Dr Soetomo Regional General Hospital (in Surabaya, East Java) as help, such as one general surgeon, three heart surgeons, and three plastic surgeons for assistance," Rosan stated.

He explained that the conjoined twins' surgery for the two babies from Bunga Mayang, Kotabumi Sub-district, North Lampung, will be conducted for around 12 hours, with a success rate of 85 percent.

"As the chest lower bone is conjoined with a part of the liver, there is a risk of bleeding, as the liver has many blood vessels. This will be anticipated with surgical techniques and using available tools," he stated.

According to Rosan, after being separated during surgery, the twins will then undergo a recovery period of a week and go through an intensive supervision period for the first year.

"It is expected that (the twins' post-surgery condition) will be smooth because their organs are already mature enough, and preparations have been made over the past year," he stated.

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Translator: Ruth K, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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