The first mention of the birth of Siamese twins dates back to the 10th century, when boys who fused with their backs were brought to Constantinople. Similar phenomena, like flashes, periodically arose around the world. They have been carefully studied by world experts and today have a scientific explanation and classification. But the problem of twin separation remains relevant. It is extremely rare to carry out a surgical operation without complications.
Siamese twins in Russia, Anya and Tanya Korkina, became the most famous modern case. Their story thundered at the end of the last century, and the operation to separate them is considered unique, and in world medicine it is still remembered.
The birth of Ani and Tanya
On April 9, 1990, in one of the Chelyabinsk maternity hospitals, unique newborns were born - twins, fused with stomachs. The two babies had one liver.
Mother (Vera Korkina) found out about this pathology at the sixth month of pregnancy. It was already too late to have an abortion, so she deliberately prepared for childbirth and subsequent events. The father of the children (Vladimir Korkin) could not stand such a shock and left the family.
Vera Korkina did not leave her children and turned to several surgeons in the city of Chelyabinsk. Only one, Professor Novokreschenov LB, agreed to take a chance and divide the Siamese twins.
Puzzle for doctors
Siamese twins in Russia - Anya and Tanya - this is the first experience of such an operation in the USSR. After them there were only Rezakhanov sisters. Before taking a chance, Lev Borisovich Novokreschenov doubted for a long time and carefully prepared for the operation. It was not enough just to divide the babies, it was necessary to save both the life and performance of the liver. So, the professor invented and patented his surgical method for separating Siamese twins with a single liver.
Operation
The operation was scheduled for May 17, 1990. That is, the Siamese twins barely turned a month old. The operation lasted almost an hour and a half. In the course of it, a risky, individual method of the surgeon was applied: the liver of the newborn was literally “torn by hands”.
The fact is that the human liver is a unique organ. When you delete a certain part, it is able to fully recover in size. That is precisely what Professor Novokreschenov relied on. In addition, you could not lose time and wait until the girls grow up. It is not known what delay could turn out to be.
Anya and Tanya spent 7 days in intensive care. After which their life went like that of ordinary children. For another 14 years, the girls were observed at the rescue surgeon Novokreschenov. And during this time, they did not reveal any serious complications.
Interesting Facts
- Separated Siamese twins Anya and Tanya celebrate two birthdays. April 9th is the day of their official birth, and May 17th is the day they received the separation operation.
- The Siamese twins Anya and Tanya Korkina not only in words recall the wonderful day of their separation. The operation left its mark. The girls do not have navels, and in their place are huge scars, which are always the subject of people's curiosity.
- In adolescence, the twins developed scoliosis. They attended a special boarding school to correct it.
- When the girls got stronger and grew up, the father decided to return to the family. He asked for forgiveness from his ex-wife and daughters. But the girls did not forgive and did not accept their father. After some time, Vladimir Korkin became mired in alcoholism and died.
- Siamese twins in Russia - Anya and Tanya Korkina - of course, were not left without media attention. Girls from a young age took part in television programs, gave interviews. However, their fame over the years has not faded. And in 2007, being already adult girls, Siamese twins Anya and Tanya took part in the “Battle of psychics” on TNT channel.
- One of the twins, Anya Korkina, was pregnant, but she had a miscarriage. Forecasts of doctors are disappointing. The girl may have infertility.
Today
Former Siamese twins were born and live in Russia. Anya and Tanya are adults, beautiful and, most importantly, full-fledged girls. They are always together and practically do not separate. Since childhood, there has been an inexplicable relationship between sisters, which they spoke about more than once in an interview. If one has a headache, the other feels the same.
The sisters live with their mother on the outskirts of their native Chelyabinsk in a two-room apartment. Mother works as a nurse in a military hospital. Girls received secondary technical education and also work.
Every day, every moment since childhood, Anna and Tanya Korkina are still happy and grateful. Photos, which are full of numerous articles about girls, only confirm their cheerfulness.
