New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Two toddler twin brothers from the Philippines have successfully undergone living donor liver transplants at a Delhi hospital after a rare congenital disorder led to liver failure in both children, according to a statement issued by the hospital on Wednesday.
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said the procedures were the first twin liver transplants among the 645 paediatric liver transplants performed at the hospital and involved back-to-back surgeries led by paediatric gastroenterologist Dr Anupam Sibal and liver transplant surgeon Dr Neerav Goyal.
The 23-month-old twins, Tyler and Kelly, were born prematurely, weighing 2 kg and 2.4 kg, respectively. Within two weeks of birth, both developed persistent jaundice and pale-coloured
stools. They were diagnosed with Choledochal Cyst Type IVA, a rare congenital condition in which the bile ducts become abnormally enlarged, resulting in progressive liver damage if left untreated.
According to the hospital, the twins later suffered recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal fluid accumulation, poor growth and repeated hospitalisations. As their condition worsened despite medical treatment, liver transplantation was considered the only life-saving option.
The hospital said finding two suitable living donors for siblings requiring transplants within days of each other was an additional challenge. While the children’s mother donated a portion of her liver to one of the twins, their father was medically unfit to donate. The maternal uncle then volunteered to donate a part of his liver to the second child.
Dr Sibal said this was the first instance of twin liver transplants among the hospital’s 645 paediatric liver transplants.
“Liver transplants in twins are rare and for both children to need a liver transplant at the same time is even rarer. Both the babies were small and that made the transplants even more challenging,” he said.
He said the hospital had earlier carried out complex procedures, including combined liver-kidney transplants, transplants in babies weighing 3.5 kg and ABO-incompatible liver transplants.
Dr Goyal said Tyler’s transplant surgery lasted more than 15 hours, while Kelly’s procedure took over 13 hours.
“Both procedures involved complex surgical reconstruction and were successfully completed. The twins have recovered well, with healthy liver function, and continue to do well during follow-up,” he said.
The hospital said the case underlined the importance of recognising persistent jaundice and pale stools in infants as warning signs that require prompt medical evaluation, adding that early diagnosis and timely referral to specialised paediatric liver transplant centres can significantly improve long-term outcomes. PTI SGV SGV MDO MDO
