Successful surgery for separation of twins Jaga-Balia finds place in Limca Book of Records: the main architect Dr Ashok Mahapatra gives credit to the team of doctors.

Bhubaneswar, 12/11: The successful surgery conducted in July 2017 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS) in New Delhi to separate conjoined twins from Kandhamal Jaga-Balia has found place in Limca book of Records . This has been intimated by the officials of Limca Book of Records to the AIIMS authorities. This critical surgery was conducted by a jumbo team of 125 doctors and para medics led by the professors of Neuro Surgery department of AIIMS, Dr Deepak Gupta and Dr Ashok Mahapatra. Dr Mahapatra, one of the architects behind this success story, is now associated with Siksha O Aunsadhan University. Talking to reporters here today, Dr Mahapatra gave the biggest credit to the team of doctors for this first successful surgery conducted in India to separate a pair of conjoined twins. “The prime share of credit goes to the team of doctors. Odisha government and above all the people of Odisha also are praiseworthy for their contributions. We had asked for Rs 1.5 crore to the Odisha government for this complicated surgery. It provided Rs 1 crore promptly for the purpose. Similarly, the people of Oisha prayed in temples and lighted lamps seeking blessings of Lord Jagannath”, said Dr Mahapatra. Surgical operations were performed on the conjoined twins in two phases- first phase on August 28, 2017 and the second one on October 25, 2017. After discharge from the AIIMS, the two twins are under treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. “When the preliminary assessment was done, Jaga stood the chance of 25 percent success and Balia 20 percent. Both were under-weight. But Jaga was a bit healthier “, recalled the neuro surgeon. “Around twelve to thirteen such critical and rare surgeries have been conducted across the globe. But the cent percent success could be possible in Jaga-Balia case”, said the former Director of the AIIMS. The first such surgery was held in Trivandrum in 2011. But the twins died on the operation table, he said. Dr James T Goodrich from Bronx in New York had provided technical advice and support through telephone, e-mail and video conferencing. Such supports were also available from two other experts in Cape Town and Singapore, said the expert. Dr Mahapatra, who was the Director of Delhi AIIMS, was later transferred to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar as its first director. After retirement, he is presently heading the medical programme of Siksha O Anusandhan University as its director.