Question

What is the prognosis for conjoined twins?

Answer 1

Survival rates and quality of life for conjoined twins depend entirely on how the two babies are connected. Here are the survival rates for each type:

• Abdomen (omphalopagus): 82%.
• Rump-to-rump (pyopagus): 68%.
• Pelvis, facing each other (ischiopagus): 63%.
• Chest (thoracopagus): Poor.
• Pelvis, side-to-side (parapagus): Poor.
• Top of head to bellybutton (cephalopagus): Poor.
• Head only (craniopagus): Poor.
• Vertebral column (rachipagus): Cannot be separated.

If separation surgery is attempted, only 60% of surgically separated conjoined twins survive. Healthcare providers can manage complications to improve the outlook for conjoined twins.