Nationwide — Twin sisters Hiyab and Wuhbto, who were born joined at the head, have been successfully separated after doctors at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, carried out a surgery that lasted more than 24 hours. The girls are now recovering and undergoing intensive medical care and rehabilitation as they adjust to life separately.
The sisters, who were born in Ethiopia, first arrived in St. Louis in March 2025, nearly a year after their birth. Their condition is known as craniopagus, a rare form of conjoined twinning in which twins are connected at the head. Doctors spent more than 300 hours in planning and strategy meetings before attempting the complicated separation. More than 30 surgical staff members took part in the procedure when it finally began on Feb. 24.
According to People, the surgery was performed with other organizations helping the girls before and after the operation. Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital has provided medical care and rehabilitation, while World Pediatrics handled guardianship and consent, family advocacy, international coordination, and a network of volunteer caregivers. In Ethiopia, Lola Children’s Home cared for the sisters before their move to the United States. Ronald McDonald House Charities helped provide lodging for their guardian, and Ethiopian Airlines arranged specialized transportation.
The separation is only one part of the girls’ long medical journey. Wuhbto recently underwent a cranioplasty, a procedure used to complete the repair and reconstruction of the skull after separation. Hiyab is expected to undergo her own cranioplasty later this fall. More than 100 medical and support staff members are now part of the twins’ care team as they continue their recovery.
Doctors at Ranken Jordan said the sisters have started taking part in separate rehabilitation programs that focus on skills they could not practice while they were conjoined. Their therapy includes learning to sit and eventually stand and walk, along with activities involving eating, speaking, socializing, and playing. The girls can now work on these skills individually while also spending time with each other. Dr. Nick Holekamp, chief health transformation officer at Ranken Jordan, said the sisters are making progress toward eventually living more independently, although they still face an extensive period of medical care and rehabilitation.
Craniopagus twins are extremely rare. The National Library of Medicine reports that twins joined at the head occur in about one of every 2.5 million live births and account for less than 6% of all conjoined twins. Only 62 separation attempts have been reported worldwide, highlighting how uncommon the procedure is. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital described the operation as one of the most complex and rare pediatric procedures performed in the United States.