Ischiopagus twins: an outcome analysis of urological aspects of repair in 3 sets of twins.

PURPOSE: We assessed the urological components of ischiopagus twins and outcomes of surgical correction.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We performed a longitudinal study of 3 pairs of twins who presented to a single institution for repair and analyzed the outcomes of certain aspects of repair.

RESULTS

Three pairs of twins joined from diaphragm to pelvis and facing each other in an embracing posture were separated in the last 10 years at a single institution. Each pair of twins had a similar constellation of shared organs, including abdominal wall, bony pelvis, liver, bowel, crossed ureters, bladder and genitalia. Followup ranges from 18 months to 10 years. All children are independent and ambulatory with fully healed wounds. Of the 6 kidneys 5 are functioning well. Of the 4 children old enough to undergo continence evaluation all are fully continent and void spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjoined twins can be successfully separated with an effective outcome.