Anaesthetic considerations for separation of omphalo-ischiopagus tripus twins.
Anaesthesia for the separation of conjoined twins requires a multi-disciplinary team approach. We describe the anaesthetic management of a single-stage separation of 2 1/2-year-old omphalo-ischiopagus tripus conjoined twins. The successful 17 1/2-hour operation was conducted by five anaesthetists and 38 surgeons and nurses. Two major problems were encountered: massive blood loss in both twins (requiring transfusions of more than five and seven times their blood volumes) and a transient decrease in core temperatures after separation.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D001831:Body Temperature; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004064:Digestive System / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011292:Premedication; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D010100:Oxygen