New Delhi

Twotoddler twin brothers from the Philippines have successfully undergone living donor liver transplants at a Delhi hospital after a rare congenital disorder led to liver failure in both children, according to a statement issued by the hospital on Wednesday.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said the procedures were the first twin liver transplants among the 645 paediatric liver transplants performed at the hospital and involved back-to-back surgeries led by paediatric gastroenterologist Dr Anupam Sibal and liver transplant surgeon Dr Neerav Goyal. The 23-month-old twins, Tyler and Kelly, were born prematurely, weighing 2 kg and 2.4 kg, respectively. Within two weeks of birth, both developed persistent jaundice and pale-coloured stools. They were diagnosed with Choledochal Cyst Type IVA, a rare congenital condition in which the bile ducts become abnormally enlarged, resulting in progressive liver damage if left untreated.

According to the hospital, the twins later suffered recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal fluid accumulation, poor growth and repeated hospitalisations. As their condition worsened despite medical treatment, liver transplantation was considered the only life-saving option.

The hospital said finding two suitable living donors for siblings requiring transplants within days of each other was an additional challenge.