Two-year-old conjoined twins Hiyab and Wuhbto, originally from Ethiopia, have been successfully separated through a complex surgical procedure performed at a children’s hospital in St. Louis. For the first time, the twins, previously joined at the head and facing opposite directions, are able to see each other’s faces.
Hiyab and Wuhbto were born with craniopagus, a rare condition affecting less than 6% of conjoined twin cases, occurring approximately once in every 2.5 million live births, according to the National Library of Medicine. Until now, they’ve been able to hear each other’s voices without ever having met face to face.
The medical team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital determined that remaining conjoined would pose significant health risks to the twins. Therefore, they traveled from Ethiopia to Missouri in 2025, accompanied by a guardian, as their parents were unable to secure visas.
A group of nearly 30 medical specialists spent almost a year planning the delicate and intricate operation. Their efforts were backed by a network of pediatric providers and charitable organizations. The surgery, conducted in February, lasted 25 hours, involving the careful separation of shared blood vessels.
Dr. Joanna Kemp, the leader of the surgical team and the first female neurosurgeon in the U.S. to perform this surgery, noted that while the girls’ brains were mostly separate, there were a few small fused areas that required meticulous planning. Observing the twins apart post-operation was described as “quite wild” by Kemp.
Hospital officials conveyed the successful outcome in a recent announcement. Wuhbto has reached a significant milestone, having completed a cranioplasty to repair her skull. A similar procedure is planned for Hiyab later this fall.
The twins are currently receiving care and rehabilitation at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Maryland Heights, Missouri. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital aims to reunite them with their family in Ethiopia in the near future.
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