# Parents Opt to Keep Conjoined Twins Together **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 26, 2014, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012 "2014-04-26T02:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/21 "2014-04-27T01:25:14Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > We hear lots more about female conjoined twins than male. I’ve read that males have more complications than girls, and many die shortly after birth. Anyone know about that? Male conjoined twins are more likely to be stillborn, are more likely to die at birth, and have a higher fatality rate through early life. That doesn’t mean none survive, just that the odds seemed to be stacked even more heavily against them than against the girls. If I recall, 3/4 of surviving-to-adult conjoined twins are girls. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/22 "2014-04-27T02:26:05Z")
Ladan and Laleh Bijani were adult female conjoined twins from Iran. They both held law degrees. Their connection was at the head and they were both unhappy with their situation. After being refused by several surgeons they finally found one willing to separate them and both died. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/23 "2014-04-27T02:30:34Z")
I think it’s the right of adults to make and informed choice about their medical care. My understanding is that the two women knew it was very risky surgery but elected to go ahead anyway. They were the exception, by the way - most adult conjoined twins do not opt for attempted separation. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/24 "2014-04-27T02:42:51Z")
> [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > Ladan and Laleh Bijani were adult female conjoined twins from Iran. They both held law degrees. > > Their connection was at the head and they were both unhappy with their situation. After being refused by several surgeons they finally found one willing to separate them and both died. That one really was a heartbreaker. They’d waited and waited for the technology to arrive to make it possible to separate. I really was hoping they’d be able to pull through. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/25 "2014-04-27T17:57:47Z")
AFAIK, there has never been a separation of twins conjoined at the head where both survived neurologically intact. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/26 "2014-04-27T19:52:30Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > AFAIK, there has never been a separation of twins conjoined at the head where both survived neurologically intact. It’s the premise of the novel \*Cutting for Stone, \*and since the author is a medical doctor, I’d be curious what he based it on. Assuming for our purposes that “weird but still able to become a medical professional” is sufficiently neurologically intact. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/27 "2014-04-28T05:55:56Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I;d never heard of the Galyon twins, it’s remarkable they lived so long. > > But Chang and Eng Bunker were, by todays standards, probably easily seperable. They were two complete people joined only by a thick band of muscle or ligament under their ribcage. According to a biography I read of them they even did consider getting seperated just before they were to be married, but their fiancees, two sisters, urged them not to, deeming the risk too great. Actually, their Wikipedia article mentions that their livers were fused, which could probably be easily handled now, but maybe not so much in the mid-1800s. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/28 "2014-04-28T22:42:14Z")
It’s also not uncommon for one twin to be doing most, if not all, of the kidney work, and possibly that of some other organs. If heart function is unequal enough, it can result in the death of one or both babies. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/29 "2014-04-28T22:43:17Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Actually, their Wikipedia article mentions that their livers were fused, which could probably be easily handled now, but maybe not so much in the mid-1800s. On top of it, they lived most of their lives in the pre-anesthetic era. Their liver was preserved and is on display at a medical museum. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/30 "2014-04-28T22:45:18Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Chang and Eng Bunker and Lonnie and Donnie Galyon :dubious: Merely by not giving the kids rhyming or alliterative names, the Stancombe parents are already waaaaaaaaaay ahead of the curve. 😃 In seriousness, though, from the reports, I don’t think the parents have _any_ really great options. If I were the parent, I guess I’d go with the least interventionist option on the menu, as they seem to be. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/31 "2014-04-28T23:11:22Z")
The Schappell twins had rhyming names until one of them changed to “George”. Abby and Brittany Hensel rhyme, but somehow that’s not as obnoxious as some of the other combos parents have handed out. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/32 "2014-04-28T23:35:23Z")
Except that Abby is short for Abigail, which I’m pretty sure doesn’t rhyme with Brittany (not that Abby really does either, IMO). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/33 "2014-04-29T00:14:36Z")
Keep in mind, that while WE may think it would be an awful way to live, this is really their only experience. (I believe that’s how the Hensel twins have put it, when people asked them about their situation) It’s possible some may think OUR lives would be a lesser way to live. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/34 "2014-04-29T00:40:30Z")
There was a case some years ago (20 or so) of conjoined twins who had a bad prognosis if no surgery was done. The thought was they would not live long in that condition. Also, if they were separated, one would certainly die, and the other stood a good chance of dying. They were separated, and both ended up dying. Then later the father made headlines for being busted for drugs. Anyone remember this case or the names? It was in the US somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/35 "2014-04-29T01:13:39Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > There was a case some years ago (20 or so) of conjoined twins who had a bad prognosis if no surgery was done. The thought was they would not live long in that condition. Also, if they were separated, one would certainly die, and the other stood a good chance of dying. They were separated, and both ended up dying. > > Then later the father made headlines for being busted for drugs. Anyone remember this case or the names? It was in the US somewhere. [The Lakeburg twins.](http://articles.latimes.com/1994-06-12/news/mn-3210_1_auto-theft-charges) I specifically remember this about that set of conjoined twins: > [@](#): > > Before the surgery, nurses had painted Angela’s fingernails pink and left her sister’s bare. The infant twins’ parents interpreted that as a sign–Amy would die to give Angela a narrow chance at life. StG ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/36 "2014-04-29T01:18:30Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/37 "2020-07-10T01:36:11Z")
This thread popped up when I started that thread about the now-late Galyon brothers. The Stancombe twins died at 2 1/2 months of age, at home. Regarding their names: Each baby has two middle names, in reverse order. > **[Andrew & Garrett Stancombe - June 24, 2014](https://www.rbfh.net/book-of-memories/1894748/stancombe-andrew--garrett/obituary.php)** > > We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honor your loved one and family with dignity, respect and personal attention to every detail. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/38 "2020-07-11T20:02:37Z")
Re Chang and Eng First, it wasn’t a cute attempt to make rhyming names. The names mean right and left. Second, their livers were indeed joined. They are preserved and can be viewed at the Mutter Museum here in Philly. Finally, according to the head curator of the Mutter Museum (she gave a talk at the Phily SciFi Society) Chang and Eng could today be seperated in an outpatient procedure. I highly recommend the Mutter Museum. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/39 "2020-07-12T14:23:41Z")
I just googled the Hensel twins for an update. I found a video about them finding a jobs as elementary school math teachers. Their bubbly new-teacher excitement is so adorable. (I hope they don’t get jaded TOO fast.) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VKrvtq5vDmk/maxresdefault.jpg ""WE GOT A JOB!" Abby and Britt, The Conjoined Teachers, Get Hired") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrvtq5vDmk) The video very briefly touched on the HR issues. As of the video, the job was part-time. They had 2 separate contracts but each was receiving half-pay. I wasn’t sure the the pay thing was really fair. I hoped they were able to negotiate something better after they’d proven themselves. I found an update from Feb of this year: > **[Conjoined Twins Abby And Brittany Hensel Are Now Thriving 30 Years Later](https://doyouremember.com/132716/conjoined-twins-abby-and-brittany-hensel-careers)** > > Abby and Brittany Hensel are conjoined twins who forged successful careers for themselves that emphasizes their individuality and experiences. _The twins work as fifth-grade teachers, guiding the next generation down a path of knowledge. Though they are each separate, unique individuals, they receive one pay. This is something they would “like to negotiate a little bit,” Brittany says. This, she feels, makes the most sense. “One can be teaching and one can be monitoring and answering questions. So in that sense, we can do more than one person.”_ I don’t know what the right answer is in terms of pay, although I think they should get more than half-pay. They are team teachers, not one teacher, albeit without the flexibility of a typical set of team teachers. Anyway, I’m glad they’re doing so well. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012/40 "2020-07-12T19:35:36Z")
Their parents also raised them as two children; among other things, they slept in a double bed even though they could have fit into a single (I almost typed twin but realized that really wasn’t appropriate) and when they were attending a private elementary school, their parents insisted on paying tuition for two. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-opt-to-keep-conjoined-twins-together/687012.md?page=3)