Treatment options for conjoined twins varies from case to case. The Colorado Fetal Care Center works closely with the parents to identify the best treatment plan for their babies.
As a parent, it can feel overwhelming to think about the implications of having conjoined twins. But as one of the nation's top care centers for conjoined twin treatment, the Colorado Fetal Care Center is uniquely positioned to care for your babies while supporting your family with helpful resources along the way.
Conjoined twin treatment options vary based on where and how the babies are joined. Twins born without immediately life-threatening complications, often those joined at the buttocks or sharing a single pelvis, usually wait several months for surgery. During that time, physicians evaluate organ sharing and plan the surgical approach.
Twins whose lives are immediately threatened, especially those connected at the chest or head, require emergency surgery before extensive diagnostics can be completed. Once the initial surgeries are complete, with or without separation, physicians conduct tests then devise a multi-step approach to each health issue according to its urgency and long-term impact.
Will both babies survive if surgically separated?
Significant ethical considerations arise in cases where it is not possible to achieve separation without sacrificing the life or the quality of the life of one of the two twins. Our surgical team will discuss your options and the survival chances of each twin based on the surgical procedure they choose.
What is the long-term outcome for conjoined twins?
Because there are so many types of conjoined twins and each pair's connection can vary, the outcome depends on a wide range of variables. Your physicians will assess your case with a high degree of detail through multiple diagnostic tests and create a treatment plan aimed at maximizing your children's health and quality of life.