Conjoined Twin Dies After Emergency Separation Surgery in Sydney
Tom, the smaller of the conjoined twins born in Papua New Guinea, passed away shortly after separation due to severe congenital defects. His brother, Sawong, is recovering well.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea / Sydney, Australia — In a complex medical mission spanning two countries, conjoined twins Sawong Kevin and Tom were successfully separated in an eight-hour surgery at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney. Tom, the smaller twin, died immediately after the procedure due to a congenital heart defect and underdeveloped lungs. His brother, Sawong, survived and is now described by doctors as "a happy baby" recovering well.
The Condition of the Twins
Born in October 2024, the brothers were attached at the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. They shared a liver, parts of their gastrointestinal tract, and multiple major blood vessels.
- Tom: Suffered from a congenital heart defect, had only one kidney, and severely underdeveloped lungs. His upper body appeared blue while the rest was pink, indicating severe circulatory issues. He relied entirely on Sawong for survival.
- Sawong: Was considered to have a strong chance of survival if separated.
- Prognosis without separation: Doctors determined that without intervention, both twins would inevitably die.
A Global Medical Mission
The case drew international attention, with medical teams from Germany, India, and Australia offering consultations.
Dr. Gordon Thomas, a paediatric transplant surgeon, assessed the twins in Port Moresby and arranged for their airlift to Sydney. A specialized LifeFlight plane was used, with cabin pressure carefully adjusted to account for Tom's fragile breathing.
"Every case of conjoined twins is unique... Sawong is doing much, much better than we thought."
Upon arrival in Sydney, doctors determined an urgent separation was necessary. The surgery involved five specialist surgeons, anaesthetists, and extensive support staff. During the procedure, surgeons discovered more shared blood vessels and a more complex liver anatomy than anticipated.
Statements from the Family and Medical Team
Fetima Tinggar (mother):
"I hoped both would survive. But Tom sacrificed for Sawong because he could not survive on his own."
Dr. Tracey Lutz (Retrieval Specialist & Neonatologist):
"It was always going to be a challenging mission because of the distance."
Current Status and Future Plans
- Sawong is recovering well and is described by staff as a happy, thriving baby.
- Dr. Thomas stated that Sawong is unlikely to require further major surgeries; his ongoing care can be managed in Papua New Guinea.
- The hospital in Sydney will remain available for any future needs.
- Sawong is expected to return to Papua New Guinea in the coming weeks.
Background
Papua New Guinea's health system lacks the resources needed to perform such complex surgeries. The family hopes this case raises awareness about the need for improved medical services in the country, which has an infant mortality rate 10 times higher than Australia's.