Twins meet surgeon who saved their lives while in womb

By Faye Mayern

Twin boys have been reunited with the surgeon who saved their lives while they were still in their mom's womb.

Eight-month-old Kai Kypros and Asher Nicolas were named after their savior - word-renowned surgeon Professor Kypros Nicolaides.

The boys, from Haywards Heath, West Sussex., were saved by Prof Nicolaides after they were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

The condition is where one twin receives more blood and nourishment than the other due to vessels in the placenta not being evenly distributed.

Their mom Katerina Ahouansou was six months pregnant when a routine scan identified the condition.

She was referred to Dr. Nicolaides at King’s College Hospital, who specializes in a laser technique to redistribute the blood supply.

Professor Nicolaides said, “When I scanned Katerina, I could see that one twin was a third bigger than the other.

"The bigger twin was taking blood and nutrition from his smaller brother, and there was a very high chance that if we didn’t intervene, both twins could die.”

As a matter of urgency, Professor Nicolaides carried out the 30-minute laser procedure, which involves inserting a thin telescope with a laser into the uterus to burn the abnormal vessels that connect the twins.

Katerina was able to return home later that day, and an improvement in the size of the smaller twin was apparent within a week.

At 33 weeks gestation, Katerina gave birth to twin boys, weighing 1.5kg (3.3lbs) and 1.7kg (3.7lbs).

She knew instantly that her family wanted to pay tribute to the man who saved their lives.

Speaking at the reunion, Katerina said: “We named one of the twins Kai Kypros and the other Asher Nicolas in honor of Professor Kypros Nicolaides.

"He is an amazing man – he gives life.”

Kai and Asher spent the first five weeks of their lives in hospital before being discharged home to be with their mom, dad, brothers and sisters.

Mom of 11 Katerina added, “Being a mom is the most beautiful experience to me.

"In the last few years, I had been dreaming about the beauty of having twins.

"Being a twin myself, I hoped it was something I could experience.

“I’ve never wanted a quiet house, to me, noise is life, and I have Professor Nicolaides to thank for making my dream come true.

“Although I am not a religious person, I believe Professor Nicolaides is proof that miracles can be performed by people who are devotees to their profession.

"I’m so thankful to him and I never once doubted the success of the procedure he performed on the twins.”