A medical team at the Hospital das Clínicas in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, successfully completed the fourth and penultimate stage of surgery to separate conjoined twins Heloísa and Helena. Born joined at the head, the two-year-old girls underwent the procedure that included the placement of skin expansion bags, lasting about six hours, and concluded at 1:00 PM on Saturday. Following the operation, both twins woke up and are recuperating in the pediatric intensive care unit of the hospital.

This surgery is part of a series of five operations planned for the twins, which began in August of the previous year. After extensive evaluations and consultations since 2024, the surgical teams have made significant progress. The next and final surgery is anticipated to take place at the end of June, which aims to ensure the complete separation of the twins, marking a crucial milestone in their medical journey.

The twins, who reside in São José dos Campos, SP, have been subject to thorough medical assessments over the past few years. The successful completion of this penultimate surgery is a testament to the expertise of the medical teams involved and brings hope for a successful conclusion to their treatment, while also highlighting the advancements in pediatric surgery and the challenging circumstances faced by families with similar medical conditions.