Ally and El, a pair of conjoined twins connected at the pelvis—a particularly rare condition—have been successfully separated following an intensive 18-hour surgery.
Their mother, Sam, first brought them to Seattle Children’s Hospital when they were just 15 months old. Doctors immediately began researching and preparing for the complex procedure, which was carried out the following February.
“Conjoined twins are rare, but twins joined at the pelvis, like Ally and El, are even rarer,” explained Dr. Caitlin A. Smith, co-director of the hospital’s Reconstructive Pelvis Medicine program. “Separating them required highly specialized surgery and extraordinary teamwork.”
Preparation began months earlier, in October, with each twin assigned a dedicated team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. Detailed imaging—MRI, fluoroscopy, and endoscopy—was conducted to map out the girls’ anatomy before the operation.
On surgery day, doctors made incisions in the twins’ shared abdomen and pelvis to carefully divide their gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and urologic systems. Once separated, reconstruction was performed using absorbable mesh, soft tissue flaps, and skin coverage before both children were transferred to the ICU.
Initially, Ally and El faced restrictions on movement, but with rehabilitation—including physical, occupational, and speech therapy—they steadily gained strength. By May, they were able to return home.
Today, the twins are thriving: developing their speech, improving motor skills, and learning to walk.
“It’s amazing to see our girls crawling, talking, and showing their unique personalities,” said their mom, Sam. “We’re so grateful for the care we received at Seattle Children’s—it was the best choice for our family.”
