Three Nigerian dons separate conjoined twins in U.S. hospital

Three Nigerian medical experts have performed a successful 26-hour surgery on 10-month old conjoined twins in a hospital in Houston, Texas, the United States (U.S.)
The experts are alumni members of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
They are Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, a Paediatric surgeon with the Texas Children Hospital; his wife, Dr Toyin Olutoye, an Anaesthesiologist, and Dr Oluyemisi Adeyemi-Fowode, a Paediatric gynaecologist.
According to the bulletin, the three physicians were among the team of 12 surgeons which successfully separated the conjoined twins in a medical feat that is now being celebrated globally.
It said Olutoye explained that the twins shared a common diaphragm, pelvis, lungs, intestines and lining of the heart, and were conjoined at the chest almost head-to-head.
Olotoye, who is also the director of the Texas Children’s Fetal Centre and co-director, Baylor College of Medicine, said the twins were also linked at the abdomen, and shared a common liver, but had separate hearts.
The bulletin further quoted Olutoye as saying: “It is a blessing to be part of a team that can help improve the lives of these two children.
“Now, they have the potential to live a happy and normal life.”
It said OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, congratulated the trio on their success, describing them as worthy OAU ambassadors in the diaspora and who the University was indeed proud of.
Omole said that their achievements in the medical field had moved the university to one of the best in Nigeria and Africa.