Filipino twins Tyler and Kelly got a new lease on life after they went through rare twin liver transplants in a Delhi hospital. The 23-month-old twin brothers were both born prematurely, weighing only 2 kg and 2.4 kg. Reportedly, they both developed liver issues within just two weeks of their birth. However, doctors have now saved the babies with complex back-to-back surgeries.

The twins with their parents and relatives. (X/@ANI)

The rare twin liver transplant took place at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. The team of surgeons were led by Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director & Senior Paediatric Gastroenterologist, and Dr Neerav Goyal, Senior Consultant & Head of Liver Transplant Surgery.

According to a statement by the hospital, the babies developed persistent jaundice and pale-coloured stools weeks after being born. It was later determined that they are suffering from a rare birth defect, Choledochal Cyst Type IVA. In this, the bile ducts become abnormally enlarged, which leads to liver damage if not treated.

Over the next few months, the twins developed several health issues, including “gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal fluid accumulation, and poor growth.” Despite the best possible medical care, the only way left to save them was surgery.

"Two children, Tyler and Kelly, from the Philippines, recently underwent liver transplants. What made this case unique was that they are twins and both suffered from a condition called choledochal cyst. This condition caused liver failure in both children. It is extremely rare for twins to share the exact same problem... When their parents first approached us, they were informed about the transplant option, and both parents offered to be donors. Unfortunately, the father was not medically fit; consequently, the mother and her brother, the children's maternal uncle, donated portions of their livers," Dr Goyal told ANI.

(With inputs from ANI)