Talk
Separating the Egyptian Conjoined Twins: the Untold Story
Dr. Kenneth Salyer & Dr. Beverly Nelson
Mon, Apr 13, 3–5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
Donation 60 pesos 

Kenneth Salyer

Transforming lives 
By Dr. Kenneth Salyer

I believe the children of the world deserve to lead normal lives and for one child in 500 births, a normal life can be an elusive, often unachievable dream without craniofacial surgery.

A normal face and skull are essential to a normal life. Consider a child born with a congenital abnormality causing a twisted nose, an absent side jaw or a missing eye orbit—a child with a disturbing facial distortion. Imagine the reaction this child receives when he or she walks into a grocery store, much less attempts to succeed in school or, perhaps, make a friend. These precious souls live a life of constant rejection and ridicule.

For decades, even centuries, those with facial differences were locked away in institutions—out of sight and out of mind. Most societies of the world simply do not accept or even tolerate facial abnormalities on any level, due to a fundamental fear of the unknown. Relating to another human being, regardless of ethnicity, geography or socio-economic status, typically involves face-to-face, eye-to-eye communication. As the child matures, a facial deformity can also become a personality façade or shroud that obscures the special gifts an individual offers. As C.S. Lewis said, and I believe as well, “You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”

Throughout my career and my work with thousands of children, I have been passionate about removing the masks of body deformity to reveal the hidden truths these unique children bring to the world, one child at a time. We must do more. The potential exists and that is my driving force. That potential also is the catalyst for the World Craniofacial Foundation and its global vision to facilitate avenues of healing and hope for these extraordinary children.

Craniofacial surgery is a relatively new specialty and I am part of the second generation of surgeons practicing a treatment protocol pioneered by French physician Dr. Paul Tessier. We focus on the correction of deformities of the bones of the skull and face. Less than 30 years ago medicine offered little hope to patients with severe craniofacial deformities. Today, highly experienced surgical teams have profoundly changed the outlook for these patients and their families.


Now, as I face my own transition from the practice of medicine and craniofacial surgery to teaching the techniques, I have developed a more philosophical approach to my work and my life. As my faith in God has intensified and my contemplation of spirituality and the universe has deepened, the aspects of love and caring in each case have become paramount. I went into the medical field to pursue the science and the challenge of what could not be done. Having mastered the technical aspects and performed more than 17,000 surgeries, I have not only transformed my patients, but I have literally transformed myself. I have embraced a deeper meaning and only recently discovered my core sense of purpose—not just to cut and sew but to unleash the spirit—allowing the souls I touch, once obscured by deformity, to soar through the miracle of craniofacial surgery.

The peculiar irony I have observed, however, is that many who manifest these syndromes, such as Crouzon’s or Apert’s, often possess a treasure trove of special gifts not readily visible unless you come to know them as I have. For the most part, they exude a sense of joy and self-confidence not frequently found in the most classically beautiful patients I treat in my regular plastic surgery practice.

The other striking paradox I have observed is though these children are often ostracized as aberrations, they are fundamentally brothers and sisters in facial difference across the globe. A particular syndrome presents certain sets of characteristics, so all of the kids around the world who share an individual syndrome do look very much alike. Each child belongs to the international family of that syndrome, but when they are reconstructed with craniofacial surgery, they transform and take on the characteristics of their parents and often blossom in new ways.

Perhaps this accounts for the remarkable dedication of many of my patients to others struggling with craniofacial abnormalities and often to pursuing medical careers in craniofacial surgery or related specialties. Regardless of the individual course each patient takes, I believe each and every individual is here on earth for a purpose and each person deserves the chance to not just exist, but thrive. To value the individual is to value one’s self and all of humanity.

Here is a link to see a short video on the Egyptian twins’ operation:

http://health.discovery.com/videos/baby-
week-egyptian-conjoined-twins.html.  

Dr. Kenneth Salyer headed the medical team that separated the Egyptian conjoined twins in Dallas in October 2003. The boys were born joined at the top of the head. The operation was considered impossible—the successful separation was called “miraculous.” LifePath co-founder Dr. Beverly Nelson was the team psychologist for the Egyptian twins’ separation.