Abigail and Isabelle Carlsen recently celebrated their 18th birthday.
These twins underwent a complex separation surgery when they were only six months old. Though they had to go through several medical procedures in childhood, they now live happy and fulfilling lives. Their story began when their mother, Amy, noticed something troubling on a new ultrasound.
The scan showed that Abbi and Bella were conjoined from the abdomen to the chest, facing each other. The harsh reality was that their chance of survival before birth was only 1 in 100,000.
Tests revealed that both girls had their own vital organs, but their hearts were connected crosswise, their pancreas was fused, and their internal organs were intertwined. In this challenging situation, Dr. Moir formed a surgical team of more than 30 people — including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. After nearly 10 hours, the operation was successful.
Last year, the twins celebrated their 18th birthday. They still enjoy many shared hobbies, such as group dancing, and continue to build friendships.
