Epigastric heteropagus twins: a report of four cases.

Epigastric heteropagus twins (EHT) is a rare form of conjoined twins. It refers to unequal and asymmetric conjoined twins in which the dependent part (parasite) is attached to the epigastrium of the dominant part (autosite). The authors herein report four cases of EHT. Omphalocele was present in 3 patients. Surgical excision of the parasite and repair of the abdominal wall defect were successful in three cases. Three infants had associated cardiac anomalies and one of them died during surgery from cardiopulmonary failure.