Separation of craniopagus twins: the Brisbane experience.
BACKGROUND
There are many problems facing the neurosurgeon when separating craniopagus twins. The condition is rare, with an incidence of 1 in 2.5 million births. As such there is a paucity of information in the literature regarding strategies for separation.
Over the last 20 years, there has been a gradual improvement in survival rates due to a combination of improved imaging, surgical/anaesthetic techniques and postoperative care. Currently, survival rates following surgery are at 50-60%. More information regarding this condition is needed to make surgical separation a safer event.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to discuss the preoperative work-up, technical details of surgery, postoperative care and lessons learned with respect to the separation of craniopagus twins.
Kenneth G. Jamieson Neurosurgical Unit, Royal Brisbane and Royal Children's Hospitals, 4029, Brisbane, Australia. scott_campbell@health.qld.gov.au
Scott
S
Campbell
D001315:Australia; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000601:surgery*