Conjoined Twins Survive One of the World’s Rarest Surgeries, Now Preparing to Go Home
Erin and Abby Delaney, born on July 24, 2016, captured the world’s attention as conjoined twins joined at the head — a condition so rare it occurs in just six out of every 10 million births. Each weighed only 2 pounds, 1 ounce at birth, and their parents, Heather and Riley Delaney, quickly realized the extraordinary challenges ahead. The twins shared not just skin and tissue, but vital brain structures, including the superior sagittal sinus, a major blood vessel carrying blood from the brain to the heart.
Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) informed the family that separation surgery was possible but extraordinarily risky. It would require delicate dissection of shared brain tissue and vessels — one of the most complex procedures in medical history. Despite the uncertainty, Heather and Riley decided to proceed, determined to give Erin and Abby a chance at separate lives.
In June 2017, after months of preparation, a team of 30 medical professionals performed the groundbreaking 11-hour surgery. The operation was a success, marking a rare medical achievement. The twins began a long road of recovery in the hospital, undergoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Every milestone — from small movements to first steps — became a testament to their resilience and the unwavering dedication of their parents.