Surgeons Break Down Separating Conjoined Twins | WIRED

Dr. Jesse Taylor, MD and Dr. Gregory Heuer, MD, PhD, successfully separated craniopagus twins Erin and Abby Delaney. How did they do it? Jesse and Gregory sit down with WIRED and break down the tools and techniques they used to do what seems impossible, separate twins conjoined at the head.

Director: Maya Dangerfield
Director of Photography: Tom Upton
Editor: Paul Tael, Joshua Pullar
Experts: Gregory Heuer, MD, PhD, Jesse Taylor, MD
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Assistant Camera: Paul Hazlet
Audio: Fran Kalfas
Production Assistant: Taylor Purdy
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell

Special Thanks: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


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[kirstenlopez]

My father’s a neurosurgeon and he actually helped separate a pair of Filipino craniopagus twins who were sent to the US for surgery. It’s truly amazing how much surgeons (and all healthcare workers) can do to heal people.

[tipsysmichigander]

I had brain surgery at 17. The size of the team of healthcare professionals that worked on my case was unbelievable... Props to all the nurses and others who don't get the credit deserved.

[jopo]

It's amazing what brilliant doctors can do, when they put their heads together .

[allbuildingblocks]

The fact that he mentioned the whole team tells me he is not only a good doctor, he is a humble person too.

[OPnerdthey]

I can't imagine how terrifying the procedure was for the parents. The thought of losing both your daughters at once

[errhka]

I love when they show the entire team - it takes the teamwork of dozens of humans to make something like this possible on top of the skill of the surgeons. Kudos to all the hospital staff involved!

[victoriaa.]

It's kind of insane that the most common question about this new and complicated procedure is how were the parents able to pay for it. Worse, it's not even a silly question.

[catalinamaldonado]

This is absolutely incredible! What stood out to me even more was that Dr. Heuer acknowledged the team that helped with this procedure. The picture towards the end where we see everyone who was involved made me tear up a bit - people who are in the healthcare field have my utmost respect and admiration! 🙏

[dorissaclaire]

I really respect these surgeon’s philosophical approach “innovation not for innovation’s sake but to help kids.” You would be SHOCKED at how many doctors in this field don’t feel this way.

I did a research project on conjoined twins and discovered that Ben Carson has actually separated a few sets. One, I believe in the 90’s where the twins lived but one was brain damaged and his quality of life was very low. At the time, Carson said it was not a successful surgery because the twins did not maintain a good quality of life. Then later in his career he performed a similar surgery where both twins sadly died. And he said the surgery was a success because they learned so much. It benefited science so much. This change in his perspective over his career has always disturbed me a lot.

[livewellwitheds]

I absolutely love how these doctors genuinely want to help others and acknowledge their whole team of co-workers

[infpdreams]

That's the hospital my platelet donations have gone to several times! It's wonderful to see this incredible operation being performed and giving these kids a chance at a much easier life than they would have had otherwise.

[chrysshart]

I really appreciate that they emphasize the importance of the entire team and trying to improve processes to ensure better outcomes for patients.

[makatron]

The doctor saying this is a team effort shows how humble these doctors are. It takes a village to complete these surgeries and also amazing how science has advanced to successfully separate conjoined twins.

[rlowethewitch]

Terrific tutorial, can’t wait to try this out 😁😁😁

[artchic]

Modern surgery is so much less invasive than surgery even 10-20 years ago! I had a small tumor in my colon and the surgeon took it out with an endoscopy tool on a robotic surgery unit. Granted the unit looked straight out of an alien space ship ready to probe patients (which it does in a way) but before it’s invention and use in surgery, patients like me had to have a fully open abdominal surgery with a colostomy bag installed and several months of recovery. Compare that to the couple of months I took to recover without needing a colostomy bag and it’s just amazing!

[FatherTime]

How weird would it be growing up and learning you were conjoined at the head when you were too young to remember it.

[Mohammed-bdql]

Bless the parents for intervening at such a young age regardless, can't imagine the humongous costs they must've gone through.

[geraldrotich]

The skill and years the surgeons have between themselves is- I am pretty certain - immeasurable. Props to them and the entire team.

[tdackjordan]

At first I thought they were going to start breaking down crying because of separating them

[KimberlyByrdV]

I’ve followed Abby and Erin for years and watching their journey is nothing short of a miracle. They’re growing into two beautiful spunky young girls! Well done doctors, and well done to Abby and Erin’s family.