The management of conjoined twins: Cardiology Assessment

Structural cardiac defects occur in at least one twin in about 75% of conjoined twins with thoracic level fusion. Outcomes after surgical separation of thoracic level conjoined twins have been favorable when the hearts have been separate. However, even in this situation, the outlook is poor for an individual twin with an important cardiac defect. Arterial anastomosis between twin circulations is an important additional consideration, with poor outcomes for perfusion recipient twins. Surgical separation is contraindicated when ventricular level cardiac fusion exists.
Source: Seminars in Pediatric Surgery - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Source Type: research