Dicephalus conjoined twins: A historical review with emphasis on viability

Dicephalus conjoined twins (2 heads on 1 body) form a distinct subgroup. They are often stillborn because of cardiopulmonary malformations. This article describes 17 historical cases with particular emphasis on viability. There are reliable reports of unseparated dicephali reaching maturity; 1 pair...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pediatric surgery 2001-09, Vol.36 (9), p.1435-1444
Main Author: Bondeson, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Conjoined twins
dicephalus
Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
History, 15th Century
History, 16th Century
History, 17th Century
History, 18th Century
History, 19th Century
History, Ancient
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Twins, Conjoined
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Summary:Dicephalus conjoined twins (2 heads on 1 body) form a distinct subgroup. They are often stillborn because of cardiopulmonary malformations. This article describes 17 historical cases with particular emphasis on viability. There are reliable reports of unseparated dicephali reaching maturity; 1 pair (the Tocci brothers) reached at least 34 years of age. In the absence of concomitant cardiac, pulmonary, and intestinal malformations, dicephalus conjoined twins may well attain adulthood. This appears to be unrelated to whether they have 4 (dicephalus tetrabrachius) or 3 (dicephalus tribrachius) arms at birth. J Pediatr Surg 36:1435-1444. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
ISSN:0022-3468
1531-5037
DOI:10.1053/jpsu.2001.26393