Doctors vow to save dicephalus twins from death

Manila: Doctors have vowed to save Filipino dicephalus twins who share one heart and one liver, Gulf News has learned.

Mary Grace and Mary Divine Asis will undergo a rare process to strengthen their heart, according to pediatric surgeon Esther Saguil.

"Their chance of survival will greatly depend on their heart. We are not sure if one heart can support two bodies," Saguil said, adding a weakened heart will hamper their chances of survival.

Saguil did not give precise details on what kind of "heart strengthening" the twins will undergo but confirmed the size of the youngsters' liver would make separation impossible.

Complication

The twins have a common anus, but it only has a small opening for waste secretion. "They are not yet suffering from intestinal obstruction," Saguil said.

"Given their weakness and special condition, we have to make sure they survive. That is our only aim. Right now, they appear strong.

"They are being fed separately through feeding tubes. Their blood pressure and their heart beats also remain normal," Saguil added.

The twins have two separate and functioning heads, two spinal columns, two airways, two pairs of lungs, separate kidneys, and three feet.

They were originally named as Mary Divine Grace, but became Mary Grace and Mary Divine after a recent baptism.

Extensive tests

Born to a couple in Tacloban City, central Philippines on April 11, the twins were immediately brought to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in the capital Manila.

They have since undergone a series of extensive tests at Saint Luke's Medical Centre in suburban Quezon City.

"In 1984, the PGH took care of dicephalus twins who died immediately after birth," explained Saguil, adding "there are only five dicephalus twins in the world."

The PGH ward is currently protected to prevent curious onlookers from entering the premises for the sole purpose of ogling at the twins.

Dicephalus conjoined twins are extremely rare. They share one body with two separate heads and necks but the majority are stillborn or die shortly after birth.

The 19th century Tocci twins were joined in this way, as are the remarkable Hensel sisters.