In a heartbreaking conclusion to a story of immense courage, a conjoined twin who initially survived a pioneering separation operation has died seven months after the procedure.
A Tragic End After Months of Struggle
Aruna Rodrigues passed away on Christmas Eve in Brazil, following severe complications. Her death comes after she endured a marathon 19-hour surgery in May to separate her from her twin sister, Kiraz, who died just days after that same operation.
The complex procedure took place at the State Hospital for Children and Adolescents (Hecad) in Goiania, located in the Brazilian state of Goias. The twins, Aruna and Kiraz, were 18 months old at the time and were conjoined at the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.
A Long and Difficult Recovery
After the separation surgery, Aruna remained hospitalised under daily monitoring. Her father, Alessandro Rodrigues, shared on social media that his daughter had shown signs of improvement and was even transferred from intensive care to a general ward on 10 December.
However, this hopeful step was tragically short-lived. Aruna later developed an infection, followed by a severe viral illness and respiratory complications, forcing her return to intensive care.
Despite the relentless efforts of the large multidisciplinary medical team that had performed the original surgery, doctors confirmed Aruna died from septic shock at 3:51 pm on 24 December.
Medical Team and Family Mourn
Lead surgeon Zacharias Calil announced the devastating news, expressing "immense pain for all of us". In a poignant message, he wrote that God had decided "to relieve Aruna’s suffering and took her to be close to her sister Kiraz".
He praised the family for fighting "with courage, faith and love for their Siamese twins". The hospital confirmed it had provided full medical and psychological support throughout the ordeal and continues to offer psychological assistance to the grieving family, requesting privacy for their mourning period.
This case highlights the extreme risks and profound challenges associated with separating conjoined twins, even when initial surgical success is achieved. The story of Aruna and Kiraz Rodrigues stands as a sombre testament to the limits of medical science and the fragility of life.
