London News

Post-surgery conjoined twin dies in London's Great Ormond Street Hospital

Thursday, 4th December 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

One of the conjoined twins who underwent surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital yesterday has died after her lungs failed.

Week-old Hope Williams and her sister Faith were born joined at the chest. They had separate hearts and respiratory systems but shared a liver and part of their intestine. Yesterday surgery to separate them was put forward after concerns were voiced regarding a block in the intestine.

"The technical separation worked well, although it was extremely challenging, and went according to plan," said Professor Agostino Pierro who led the 20-strong operating team. The doctors at Great Ormond Street are widely recognised as Europe's most experienced in this area and the surgery took some 11 hours to complete.

Sadly while Faith is now in a stable condition, Hope, who was the smaller of the two babies, died. Doctors have suggested that in some way her sister's lungs had been partially supporting her prior to separation. "She died because of a lung condition and in reality what happened before is that the lungs of Faith were somehow supporting Hope," said Professor Pierro.

"The parents are coping extremely well and I am grateful to them for their support". Laura Williams, 18, and her husband Aled were with Hope when she died and are now praying for her sister's recovery.