A conjoined twin who initially survived a groundbreaking separation operation has tragically died months after the procedure, following the earlier loss of her sister. The heartbreaking news marks the end of a long and courageous medical battle for the family.
The Long Fight for Survival
Aruna Rodrigues passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, after developing severe complications at the State Hospital for Children and Adolescents (Hecad) in Goiania, Brazil. Her death came just over seven months after the historic and complex 19-hour surgery in May that successfully separated her from her twin sister, Kiraz.
Kiraz, unfortunately, did not survive long after the separation procedure, dying just days after the operation. The twins, Aruna and Kiraz, were 18 months old at the time of the surgery. They had been born conjoined at the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, requiring an immense multidisciplinary medical effort to attempt their separation.
A Father's Heartbreak and Medical Complications
Aruna's father, Alessandro Rodrigues, shared the family's anguish on social media. He revealed that his daughter had shown signs of improvement and was moved from intensive care to a regular hospital ward on December 10. However, this hopeful step was followed by a devastating turn.
"Our baby went through several procedures and several surgeries and she managed to overcome all of them," Alessandro wrote. "Unfortunately, she did not overcome this last one, which was leaving the intensive care unit for the ward." He explained that Aruna later developed an infection, followed by a viral illness.
Hospital officials confirmed that after being moved to the ward, Aruna developed severe respiratory complications and had to be rushed back to intensive care. Doctors diagnosed a viral infection, and despite all medical efforts, she succumbed to septic shock at 3:51 PM on December 24.
A Medical Team's Immense Effort and Loss
The lead surgeon for the separation, Zacharias Calil, announced Aruna's passing with a message of profound sorrow. "Today, God decided to relieve Aruna's suffering and took her to be close to her sister Kiraz," he wrote on social media on the night of December 24. He described it as an "immense pain for all of us, especially for this family that fought with courage, faith and love for their Siamese twins."
The hospital, in a formal statement, expressed that it had provided full medical and psychological support to Aruna and her family throughout the entire treatment journey. They added that psychological assistance continues to be offered to the grieving family and respectfully requested privacy for them during this period of mourning.
This case highlights the extreme risks and emotional toll associated with separating conjoined twins, even when initial surgical success is achieved. The medical team's 19-hour marathon effort in May gave the twins a chance at independent lives, but the subsequent months proved how fragile that victory can be.
