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About Ischiopagus Tripus Twins

Conjoined twins form when a woman's egg begins to split to create twins and the process does not complete. All conjoined twins are two separate babies that are fused together and may share a variety of organs and body parts. Ischiopagus tripus twins are one sub-type of conjoined twins.

  1. Ischiopagus Tripus Twins - Where are They Joined?

    • The medical community categorizes conjoined twins by how the two babies' bodies are connected. Some conjoined twins may be joined at the head or at the chest. Ischiopagus tripus twins are a rare type of conjoined twins that are joined near the pelvis. These conjoined twins may share urinary organs, genitals and a gastrointestinal tract. Ischiopagus twins normally have four functioning legs. Ischiopagus tripus twins differ in that the twins only have three legs. The third leg is not able to be controlled by either twin and therefore is normally removed surgically.

    Can Ischiopagus Tripus Twins Be Seperated?

    • Separating any set of conjoined twins really depends on which organs the twins share, the odds of surviving surgery and the risks and complications that may go along with the separation surgery. Prosthetic legs are available if ischiopagus tripus twins are separated so each twin can have one natural leg and one artificial leg. The bigger concern is the gastrointestinal and pelvic organs the twins may share. In 2004, a set of ischiopagus tripus twin girls who did share vital organs which were split and then reconstructed, were separated successfully. This surgery took months of planning and was a newsworthy medical achievement.

    Adjusting to Life

    • Even once ischiopagus tripus twins, or any type of conjoined twins, are separated, there can still be challenges to face. Since ischiopagus tripus twins will each have to have a prosthetic leg, physical therapy will be needed if the twins wish to learn to walk instead of being wheelchair bound. Whenever possible, many doctors like to attempt separation surgery on conjoined twins who will need artificial limbs at young ages so the twins will not know a life other than a life with prosthetics. Older conjoined twins who get separated later in life may have more questions and a harder time accepting the artificial limbs.

    The Choice to Seperate

    • The choice to separate can be a difficult one for both parents and doctors. Since conjoined twins are very rare and ischiopagus tripus twins are even rarer there are no guarantees when it comes it surgery. It is always a possibility that one or both twins could die during or after surgery. Since the science of separating conjoined twins is far from being perfected, the twins may face difficult lives conjoined or separated. Doctors should explain all the risks and benefits to parents about their conjoined twins' particular cases so families can make the best decisions possible about separation.

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