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Two-year-old sisters Hiyab and Wuhbto were joined at the head and are now undergoing rehabilitation after the complex operation.
Two-year-old conjoined twins from Ethiopia have been successfully separated following a complex surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
The sisters, Hiyab and Wuhbto, were born with craniopagus, a rare condition in which twins are joined at the head. They faced opposite directions, allowing them to hear each other but preventing them from seeing one another’s faces.
Surgeons completed the separation during an operation that began on February 24 and lasted more than 24 hours. The hospital announced the successful outcome on September 16, 2026.
Nearly One Year of Preparation
A team of more than 30 specialists spent almost a year preparing for the high-risk procedure.
Doctors had to separate shared blood vessels and address areas where the girls’ brains and skull structures were connected.
Dr Joanna Kemp, who led the surgical team, said the twins’ brains were mostly separate, although small areas were fused.
The medical team conducted several preparatory procedures to protect blood flow and prepare the girls for the final separation.
Parents Remained in Ethiopia
Hiyab and Wuhbto travelled to the United States in 2025 with a guardian after their parents were unable to obtain visas.
The girls’ treatment was supported by international healthcare providers, charitable organisations and other partners involved in their care.
The hospital said the collaboration helped provide the specialised medical treatment required for the twins.
Recovery and Rehabilitation Continue
Following the operation, the sisters moved to Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Missouri for rehabilitation and ongoing medical care.
Wuhbto has already undergone successful cranioplasty surgery to repair her skull, while Hiyab is expected to undergo a similar procedure later in the autumn.
Medical teams are helping the girls develop skills and participate in activities that were difficult or impossible while they were joined, including sitting, eating, speaking, socialising and playing.
The hospital hopes the sisters will eventually return to Ethiopia and reunite with their parents after completing their treatment and rehabilitation.
