HYDERABAD: Uncertainty looms large over the operation of five-year-old conjoined twins Vani and Veena with Singapore Health Minister cautioning that the operation carried “high risks”.
Vani and Veena were expected to go under the knife at the city-State-based East Shore Hospital in August this year.
Reputed neurosurgeon Keith Goh is to undertake the operation to separate the twins joined at their head at the behest of the Andhra Pradesh government.
Singapore Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, in remarks carried by the Straits Times said that doctors would likely end up “harming” the patients and should not attempt such operations.
“In certain situations it may be better not to operate on conjoined twins.
To change the course of nature may do more harm than good,” Khaw was quoted as saying. The Minister said: “Surgeons, in some instances, have to pick one twin to die to save the other. Even those who survive would often be left with brain damage so to what extent is this quality of life,” the Minister said, he was making these comments taking into account the history of such operations in his country.
Khow was apparently referring to the outcome of a similar operation in 2001 when a team from Singapore General Hospital separated 11-month-old Nepalese conjoined twins named Ganga and Jamuna. Ganga, the weaker twin died at age eight from a severe chest infection, while her sister Jamuna has been having complications with her spinal cord.
Goh, who was involved in a marathon operation of the twins born with joined skulls, said he differed with his Minister.
He said any final decision should come after full evaluation and all the investigations have been done.