St. Louis Surgeons Separated Craniopagus Twins
A team of 30 medical specialists spent 25 hours separating two-year-old conjoined twins in February 2026.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Children’s Health
In February 2026, surgeons at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis successfully performed a 25-hour operation to separate craniopagus conjoined twins from Ethiopia. The two-year-old girls are now undergoing rehabilitation care at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
Why it matters
The separation was necessary because remaining conjoined presented substantial long-term health risks to the twins. This complex procedure required a massive multidisciplinary team to safely disconnect shared blood vessels and brain tissue.
The separation surgery involved nearly 30 medical specialists working for 25 hours to disconnect shared anatomy. Craniopagus conjoined twins occur in approximately 1 out of every 2.5 million live births.
The players
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
This St. Louis medical facility served as the primary surgical site for the separation of the conjoined twins.
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
This specialized institution provides pediatric rehabilitation and bridge care for children following complex medical procedures.
The details
The surgical team focused on separating fused blood vessels and delicate brain areas during the marathon operation. While Wuhbto has already completed a cranioplasty skull repair, her sister Hiyab is scheduled to undergo the same procedure later this fall.
Timeline
The twins traveled from Ethiopia to Missouri in 2025.
Surgeons performed the 25-hour separation surgery in February 2026.
Hospital officials announced the successful outcome in September 2026.
Hiyab is scheduled to undergo a cranioplasty operation in the fall of 2026.
The Big Picture
The success of this operation highlights the high level of medical coordination and advanced surgical capability maintained by the St. Louis pediatric surgical specialist network. This accomplishment underscores the progress in treating rare craniopagus cases that require multidisciplinary intervention.
The case highlights the availability of specialized, high-level pediatric surgical expertise for complex conditions within St. Louis. It reinforces the importance of long-term rehabilitation and staged surgical planning in managing rare pediatric diagnoses.
The takeaway
This successful separation highlights how advanced surgical teamwork can address extreme physiological complexities in pediatric patients. The ongoing recovery process serves as a reminder that complex medical interventions often require extensive, staged rehabilitation beyond the initial surgery.
What happens next
Hiyab is scheduled to undergo a cranioplasty procedure later this fall. Following the successful recovery of both twins, the hospital plans to facilitate their return home to Ethiopia.
Further reading
Learn more about local pediatric care efforts on the Children’s Health page.
