Heitor and Augusto

In the Spring of 2023, Gemini Untwined received a second referral from the Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer in Brazil. Heitor and Augusto, conjoined twins weighing a combined 4.2 kg, were the youngest set of twins to be separated by our team of specialists.

Every case we handle presents its own unique challenges, and this one was no exception. At Gemini Untwined, our global team of experts works tirelessly to give children like Heitor and Augusto the best chance at a full and healthy life. However, this case presented a different kind of challenge too. Heitor, one of the twins, was born with a major heart defect, and the prognosis was serious. The surgical team and the boys’ parents faced a heartbreaking decision: without the surgery, both twins were unlikely to survive, but undergoing the procedure meant accepting that Heitor would not make it through.

In August 2023, the intricate and emotionally charged surgery took place. After many grueling hours in the operating room, it became clear that Heitor would not survive. His remarkable strength and willpower, however, allowed the surgeons to successfully separate Augusto. Heitor’s passing was deeply felt by everyone involved in the process, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the medical team and the family.

A year later, in a touching reunion, Augusto, along with his parents and the medical team from Brazil, visited us in London. Together, we lit a candle in memory of Heitor, a moment of reflection and tribute to a brave boy whose legacy lives on through his brother’s life.

Gemini Untwined remains committed to pushing the boundaries of medical care, and Heitor and Augusto’s story continues to inspire our work.