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.
Campbell
Scott
S
Kenneth G. Jamieson Neurosurgical Unit, Royal Brisbane and Royal Children's Hospitals, 4029, Brisbane, Australia. scott_campbell@health.qld.gov.au
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*