What is the prognosis for conjoined twins?

What is the prognosis for conjoined twins?

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.