Manal and Mirhi were born in Pakistan with an extremely rare condition – they were joined at the head. The girls shared a cranial bone and a complex vascular system, which made their case particularly difficult.

Such births occur approximately once in every 60,000 newborns, and only a few children survive to the age when surgery becomes possible.

When Manal and Mirhi turned three, the parents, together with doctors, made a life-changing decision – to attempt to separate their daughters.

They were transferred to Ankara, to Bilkent City Hospital, where an international medical team took charge of the preparation and operation.

The doctors already had experience with successful separations of similar twins, which made the treatment of the girls possible.

Preparation took several months: with the help of mixed reality technology, three-dimensional models of the twins’ skull and brain were created, allowing surgeons to practice each step in detail.

The surgery was carried out in two stages, with the final part lasting more than 14 hours. The doctors had to carefully separate the meninges and vascular system, and then reconstruct the cranial bones of both girls.

Despite the enormous risk, the operation ended successfully. Within just a few days, Manal and Mirhi began to breathe independently and respond to their surroundings.

Doctors note that their recovery is progressing faster than expected and predict them a full life. Currently, the girls are undergoing rehabilitation, gradually learning to sit and move separately.

For the parents, this is a true miracle – for the first time they can hold each daughter individually in their arms.