Conjoined twins in Edo state of Nigeria; a report of the first surviving set

Abstract

Abstract:The term conjoined twins refers to babies who are physically joined at some point. It is a rare condition with an estimated incidence of 1 per 200,000 live births. We report our experience with conjoined twins over a twelve year period in tertiary hospital in Nigeria and a case of the first set of conjoined twin survivors in Benin City, Nigeria. Over the last twelve years (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011), three cases of conjoined twin have been recorded in our teaching hospital. A set of thoracoomphalopagus twins (females) were delivered in 1999 and they survived for only 36hrs. Another set of female omphalopagus twins were delivered in 2009 and survived a separation surgery. A third set of female thoracoomphalopagus was delivered in another institution same year and referred to our unit but they only survived for 48 hours. The first surviving twins were omphalopagus, sharing a single liver, and common bile duct emptying into a common duodenum. The stomach, as well as the jejunum was normal and unshared. Surgical separation of the liver was done and biliary reconstruction procedure performed for twin II. A three -year follow up showed good outcome.

Triplet: Thoraco-omphalophagus Conjoint Twins and Malformed Fetus of Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

“…The incidence of conjoined twins' falls in the range of 1:50,000 to 1:100,000 live births, with 40-60% being stillborn and about 35% of the live births not surviving beyond 24 hours [4]. The exact incidence of conjoint twins in Nigeria is not known as there are instances of under-reporting, largely due to the relatively poor prognosis and stigmatisation associated with conjoined twinning [5]. In Nigeria, the earliest reported case of conjoined twins were born in Sokoto on 20…”

“…In 2014, Amuabunos et al in Benin city, Edo State Nigeria reported a case of the first set of conjoined twins survivor managed in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, 3 other sets of non-surviving conjoined twins had been managed in that facility [5]. Amuabunos et al also observed that 18 cases of conjoined twins had been reported in Nigeria over 76 years; from 1935 to 2012, across various health facilities in Nigeria [5]. Conjoined twins are associated with a higher predominance of the female sex [4].…”