Manal and Mirhi were born in Pakistan with an extremely rare condition—their heads were fused. The girls shared a portion of their skull and a complex vascular system, making their case particularly challenging.
This condition occurs approximately once in 60,000 births, and few children survive to the age where surgery is possible.
When Manal and Mirhi turned three, their parents, together with doctors, made the crucial decision to attempt separation.
The girls were transported to Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara, where an international team of specialists prepared and performed the surgery.
The surgeons had previously successfully separated identical twins, allowing them to carefully plan the treatment for the two girls.
The preparation lasted several months: using mixed reality technology, 3D models of the twins’ skulls and brains were created, allowing the doctors to practice and refine each stage of the procedure.
The surgery was performed in two stages, with the final phase lasting over fourteen hours. Medical teams had to carefully separate the meninges and vascular system, and then reconstruct the skull bones of both girls.
Despite the enormous risk, the surgery was successful. A few days later, Manal and Mirhi began breathing independently and responding to the world around them.
Doctors note that their recovery is progressing faster than expected and are confident that the girls will be able to lead full lives. They are currently undergoing rehabilitation and are gradually learning to sit and move independently.
For their parents, it is a true miracle—for the first time, they can hug each daughter separately.
