In the realm of medical marvels, the story of Addison (Addy) and Lilianna (Lily) Altobelli stands out as a testament to human perseverance, cutting-edge medical expertise, and the power of love and family. These twin sisters, born conjoined at the abdomen and chest, embarked on a challenging journey that ultimately led to their successful separation. Their story is one of resilience, hope, and unwavering support from their parents and a dedicated medical team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Addy and Lily’s journey began before their birth when their mother, Maggie Altobelli, underwent a routine ultrasound at 20 weeks of pregnancy. What they discovered was beyond anyone’s expectations: not only were they expecting twins, but these precious sisters were conjoined at the abdomen, a condition known as thoraco-omphalopagus twins. This meant that they shared vital organs such as the liver, diaphragm, chest, and abdominal wall.
Conjoined twins are exceptionally rare, occurring in only about 1 in 50,000 births. Recognizing the complexity of their condition, Maggie and Dom Altobelli turned to CHOP, one of the few institutions in the United States with extensive experience in successfully separating conjoined twins. Since 1957, CHOP had separated more than 28 pairs of conjoined twins, making them a beacon of hope for families facing such challenges.
Under the care of specialists at CHOP’s Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, it was discovered that despite sharing a chest and abdominal wall, diaphragm, and liver, Addy and Lily had separate, healthy hearts. Furthermore, their shared liver was large enough to be divided between them, making them excellent candidates for separation surgery.
Their remarkable journey took another step forward on November 18, 2020, when they were born at CHOP’s Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit. However, their battle was far from over. They spent four months in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU) and an additional six months in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). To prepare for their separation surgery, CHOP plastic surgeon David W. Low, MD, gradually stretched their skin using specialized expanders. These expanders worked like small, collapsible balloons, expanding the skin over time to ensure there was enough to cover their exposed chest wall and abdominal after separation.
Finally, on October 13, 2021, after months of preparation, Addy and Lily underwent a grueling 10-hour separation surgery, led by Dr. Holly Hedrick and a team of over two dozen specialists. Once separated, the surgical team meticulously rebuilt each girl’s chest and abdominal wall. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Stephanie Fuller ensured their hearts were positioned correctly and functioning well, and plastic surgeons placed two layers of mesh, one temporary and one permanent, over their chest and abdominal walls before covering them with the stretched skin.
The Altobelli family’s incredible journey continued when, on December 1, 2021, they were finally able to return to their home in Chicago after more than a year in Philadelphia. The twins spent two weeks at Lurie Children’s Hospital under the care of a medical team that would support them closer to home. They were discharged just in time for Christmas, returning to find their yard decorated by their neighbors. The holiday season was extra special for the Altobelli family, as they celebrated together at home as a family of four.
Addy and Lily’s story is not just a tale of medical achievement but also a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unwavering dedication of medical professionals. It’s a story of hope and triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds, reminding us all that the human spirit and modern medicine can achieve extraordinary miracles.
