In a remarkable medical feat, 13-month-old twins, Leo and Mason Thompson, were successfully separated after being conjoined at the head. The complex surgery, lasting 16 hours, was performed on a Friday by Dr. Samuel Richards at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
Their mother, Lisa, took to Facebook to share the news of their successful separation, but she also expressed the mix of emotions that comes with such a monumental event. “I should be overjoyed,” Lisa shared in her post on October 14. “TWO SEPARATE BABIES!!!… but the uncertainty of what lies ahead weighs heavy on me. I didn’t shed a tear until the surgeons left the room. It’s a strange feeling of being on the edge of an unknown future.”
Leo and Mason shared vital blood vessels and brain tissue, complicating the separation and making it a high-risk procedure. There wasn’t a clear path for the surgery, leading Lisa to reveal that Dr. Richards had to rely on his instincts to make the crucial final cuts. “The atmosphere was a mix of celebration and apprehension,” she wrote.
Mason faced particularly tough challenges during the surgery, with his blood pressure and heart rate fluctuating alarmingly with each incision. Thankfully, after the separation, his vitals stabilized, although he’s currently on medication to keep his blood pressure in check. Doctors are keeping a close eye on him for potential issues like brain swelling and stroke, and Lisa noted that he might have limited movement on one or both sides of his body.
“There was a moment when Dr. Richards considered halting the procedure due to the risks,” she explained. “But they found an opening and decided to proceed, which turned out to be the right choice.”
The decision to go through with the surgery was incredibly difficult for the twins’ parents, who were faced with the daunting reality that the risks of not operating were equally severe. Reports suggest that 80 percent of twins joined at the head do not survive past age two without surgical intervention.
The upcoming months will be critical as the boys embark on their recovery journey. Before the surgery, they were all smiles, but now they are in a delicate healing phase. “We’ve taken a giant leap of faith, but now we’re back to taking baby steps,” Lisa reflected. “I still feel like I’m suspended in time, holding onto the joy from yesterday morning until I see those smiles again.”
This separation surgery was the seventh performed by Dr. Richards and marked the 59th of its kind globally since 1952. The twins will remain intubated for about a week as they recover, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover medical expenses. “If there was ever a time we needed prayers, this is it,” Lisa shared.
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Summary
Thirteen-month-old twins Leo and Mason Thompson were successfully separated in a 16-hour surgery, but their mother, Lisa, expresses mixed feelings of joy and apprehension about their future. The surgery, led by Dr. Samuel Richards, was complex due to shared blood vessels and brain tissue. Mason faced complications during the procedure, but both boys are now in recovery. The decision to proceed with surgery was fraught with risks, but it was deemed necessary for their survival.