Twin sisters conjoined at birth have been separated following a marathon surgery in St. Louis.
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Hiyab and Wuhbto, who hail from Ethiopia, were born conjoined at the crowns of their heads. At nearly a year old, the twins traveled to St. Louis in March of 2025, according to a press release from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. The two were surgically separated following an arduous, nearly 25-hour-long surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, which began on Feb. 24 of this year.
The hospital explained in the Sept. 16 press release that the young girls still have more procedures ahead. To repair her skull following the procedure, Wuhbto recently underwent a successful cranioplasty. Meanwhile, Hiyab will undergo the same procedure later in the fall.
"Partnership, collaboration and expertise were the building blocks of this incredible feat," Dr. Andrew J. White, the hospital's chief medical officer, explained. "Successful surgical separation of craniopagus twins requires sublime precision, meticulous attention to detail, and highly complex coordination across many specialties."
"This story reflects the very best of who we are, bringing hope, healing, and opportunities once thought impossible to children and families when they need it most," President of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Dr. Hossain Marandi added in the press release. "From our caregivers and clinical teams to our community and global partners, countless individuals united around a shared mission to create new possibilities for these two young girls and their future."
The Conjoined Twins' Surgery Required Several Organizations to Pitch In
The life-changing surgery for the conjoined twins involved many moving parts.
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital pitched in to aid in the twins' recovery following the harrowing surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. Meanwhile, World Pediatrics brokered things like guardianship and consent. Lola Children's Home cared for Hiyab and Wuhbto while they still lived in Ethiopia. Ronald McDonald House Charities provided their guardian with a place to stay while they underwent procedures in St. Louis.
The highly advanced surgery needed 30 surgical staff on the big day. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital noted that over 300 hours went into coordinating the surgery. As the twins recover, over 100 staff have been added as well.
So far, the twins have spent over 50 hours in surgery.
"The girls are beginning to take full advantage of the miracle of their surgeries through a multidisciplinary therapy regimen at Ranken Jordan," chief health transformation officer at Ranken Jordan Dr. Nick Holekamp said of the twins' ongoing recovery.
"They are now able to participate in individually focused therapies to do the activities of daily living that they could not do while conjoined," Dr. Holekamp continued. "Therapies to sit, eventually to stand and walk, to eat and speak, to socialize, and to play with other kids, including each other."
"They are making progress toward one day pursuing independent lives," he added.
