Buzz
Conjoined twins (also known as Siamese twins) are infants whose bodies are physically merged. They can be joined in various configurations, but they generally fall into two main categories: symmetrical and asymmetrical conjoined twins. These two categories lead to vastly different outcomes for the individuals.
Symmetrical conjoined twins typically possess all the necessary organs and body parts to survive as separate individuals if divided. The primary complications arise where their bodies are conjoined. In contrast, asymmetrical conjoined twins often see one twin being smaller, weaker, and dependent on their sibling for sustenance. Separation may increase the likelihood of survival for the stronger twin.
Conjoined twins are not caused by a genetic mutation. They occur when an egg that was supposed to split into twins undergoes only a partial division. This results in two beings forming together. A delay in the division of embryonic layers can cause the twins to be conjoined. Another theory suggests that two embryos merge early in development.
Here are 10 of the most extraordinary cases of individuals born with their bodies fused together.
10. Ronnie and Donnie Galyon
Ronnie and Donnie Galyon are symmetrical conjoined twins who were born joined at the abdomen on October 28, 1951, in Ohio. They made history in 2014, becoming the longest-living conjoined twins at the age of 62 years, eight months, and eight days.
This is an extraordinary feat, given that conjoined twins have a significantly lower survival rate than the general population. Tragically, many conjoined twins are stillborn or pass away shortly after birth.
Despite these odds, Ronnie and Donnie thrived, though they were excluded from school due to concerns about causing distractions. They found success as sideshow performers, earning a comfortable living. The twins, conjoined at the abdomen, had nearly all their body parts duplicated, one for each twin, except for their shared colon and penis.
9. Lori and Reba Schappell
Lori and Reba Schappell are craniopagus conjoined twins, meaning they were born with their heads physically joined. This condition presents a significant challenge for medical professionals who aim to separate conjoined twins so they can live as independent individuals.
Craniopagus conjoined twins occur in just 1 out of every 2.5 million live births, making up only 2–6 percent of all conjoined twin cases. Like Lori and Reba, these twins often share parts of the brain, which makes separation impossible in most cases.
Despite their physical connection, Lori and Reba lived their lives attached at the head. Reba, also known by the stage name George Schappell, pursued a career as a country singer and gained a following for a time.
8. Erin and Abby Delaney
Erin and Abby Delaney are another pair of craniopagus conjoined twins, born on July 24, 2016. The two were joined at the tops of their heads. Ten months later, they underwent an 11-hour surgery involving 30 healthcare professionals to separate them.
Separation for such twins is exceedingly rare and difficult. The surgery was especially complicated due to the shared blood vessels vital for brain function. A single error could have led to the death of both twins. Now, with the separation completed while they were still young, the twins will grow up to live normal lives and have no memory of being physically conjoined.
7. Ladan and Laleh Bijani
Born in Iran in 1974, Ladan and Laleh Bijani were one of the most tragic cases of conjoined twins to ever live. Throughout their lives, they yearned to be separated. They were craniopagus twins, conjoined at the side of the head and sharing parts of their brain.
Doctors in Germany refused to perform the risky separation surgery due to the life-threatening risks involved. However, a team of surgeons in Singapore agreed to attempt the procedure. One of the doctors stated that they had begged the twins to reconsider the surgery. Their adoptive father claimed the doctors had pressured them into going ahead, while their adoptive mother said that Ladan was insistent on the operation, while Laleh was fearful.
Tragically, both twins passed away due to surgical complications at the age of 29. However, their deaths were not in vain, as the operation provided valuable insights from a medical perspective.
6. Liou Seng-Sen and Liou Tang-Sen
Liou Seng-Sen and Liou Tang-Sen were conjoined twins, thought to have been born around 1886 in China. As xiphopagus conjoined twins, they were physically joined by a strip of cartilage running down their abdomen.
The twins toured Asia as sideshow performers, appearing at various fairs. Although their exact birthdate is unknown, some believe they passed away at the age of 71. If accurate, this would make them the longest-living conjoined twins, though this has yet to be verified.
5. Abby and Brittany Hensel
Born in 1990, Abby and Brittany Hensel are dicephalic parapagus twins, meaning they share a single body but have two distinct heads. They each possess their own mind, with separate thoughts and experiences, yet live as one body.
Despite their rare condition, these Minnesota natives lead relatively normal lives. Each of the twins even managed to obtain a driver’s license, which they had to do individually while sharing the same body to drive. Both passed the driving test.
The twins have always been open about their condition, even having their own reality TV show for a time. Interestingly, each twin controls one half of their shared body, meaning they must work together to perform tasks that normally require two hands.
4. Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova
Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova were born on January 3, 1950, in the former Soviet Union. As ischiopagus tripus conjoined twins, their bodies were fused at the waist, forming a 180-degree angle. They had two sets of nearly everything, but shared a single pair of legs from the waist down, essentially functioning as one person from the waist down, while being two individuals from the waist up.
Their story took a tragic turn when Soviet authorities removed them from their mother's care shortly after their birth. The twins were eventually used as test subjects for the government’s medical experiments, which subjected them to extreme conditions like sensory deprivation, isolation, and extreme temperatures, putting them through near-death experiences.
As they grew older, Masha and Dasha's personalities became increasingly at odds with each other. Dasha, attempting to have a relationship, was prevented by Masha, who was the dominant twin. At one point, Dasha tried to hang herself. The twins' lives ended in 2003 at age 53 when Masha suffered a heart attack. Due to their shared circulatory system, Masha's decaying body led to blood poisoning in Dasha.
3. Chang and Eng Bunker
Chang and Eng Bunker led extraordinary lives, even by the unique standards of conjoined twins. They are often referred to as the original “Siamese twins,” a term that originated because the twins were from Siam (now Thailand).
Born in 1811, the twins were brought to the United States in 1829 where they began performing in circus sideshows. Initially, they were treated as little more than slaves, with many in the West exploiting their rare condition to make substantial profits.
Over time, the Bunkers managed to escape the control of their exploitative managers, who had taken all the earnings from their performances, and became U.S. citizens. The twins then acted as their own agents, eventually achieving great wealth. They each married and fathered large families. Chang fathered 11 children, while Eng had 10.
In their later years, Chang suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed. Eng, who had to assist Chang by dragging him around, saw his brother pass away in 1874 at the age of 62. Eng died just hours later.
2. Artur and Heitor Rocha
In Brazil, Artur and Heitor Rocha were born conjoined at the abdomen. These brothers gained considerable fame and were featured on television, where they became well-known. They shared several vital organs, including their liver, intestines, and bladder.
The brothers remained conjoined for five years. However, as Heitor’s growing weight began to compress Artur's spine and internal organs, their parents decided on a separation surgery. Unfortunately, Artur passed away during the procedure. Sadly, such high-risk surgeries often result in the death of one or both twins.
1. Conner and Carter Maribal
Conner and Carter Maribal, conjoined twins from Florida, underwent successful separation surgery at just five months old. The boys had been connected at the abdomen and also shared a liver, parts of their intestines, and bile ducts.
Despite the complexity of their condition, a skilled team of surgeons was able to separate the shared organs, providing the twins with a fighting chance for survival. However, the procedure carried immense risk, with only a 25 percent chance of success.
Thankfully, both boys survived the surgery. Thanks to advancements in modern medicine, conjoined twins today have a higher likelihood of successful separation and leading relatively normal lives.
