Doctors separated conjoined twins who were joined at the chest: here’s what they look like 3 years later

In Northern Ireland, the Bateson family spent years longing for a child after enduring fertility treatment. Their happiness turned bittersweet when they learned they were expecting twin girls who were conjoined from the chest to the pelvis.

An ultrasound revealed two healthy hearts, but also a complex reality. Annabelle and Isabelle shared vital organs including a liver, intestines, bladder, and one leg, making their condition especially challenging for doctors to assess.

The twins were born in March 2022 at University College Hospital in London and were quickly transferred to a leading children’s hospital. There, a specialist team began planning what would become a life-changing operation.

Over several months, doctors analyzed detailed scans, created 3D models of the shared anatomy, and rehearsed the surgery using advanced simulations. Every preparation aimed to maximize each child’s chance of survival and independence.

In September 2022, more than thirty medical professionals assembled for the separation surgery. The atmosphere was tense, filled with equal parts fear and hope as the delicate procedure began.

After eighteen hours, the surgery succeeded. For the first time, Annabelle and Isabelle lay on separate operating tables, both alive and each with one leg of her own.

Recovery was long and demanding, involving intensive care and multiple additional surgeries. Today, the twins are thriving, developing distinct personalities, attending physiotherapy, and moving forward with determination and hope for the future.