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Hemispherectomy Maranda Francisco
Maranda Francisco was a 4-year-old girl from Denver who experienced up to 120 seizures a day. One the patient was brought to Dr.Carson he decided to revive the surgical procedure known as hemispherectomy, the removal of half the brain in a child who is plagued by seizures that do not respond to drugs. The procedure was developed in the 1930's. The procedure was not successful in many previous attempts. "The odds against success were great, but Dr. Carson figured it was worth taking a chance. "I -
The first successful separation of conjoined twins at the head
The Binder twins were born February 2 in Ulm in West Germany. The twins were attached at the back of the head,they shared a broad area of the skull as well as brain tissue. To successfully complete the surgery the doctors had to stop the flow of blood. The fact that the Binder twins were Siamese affected the operation also. -
The Makwaeba Twins
"The operation was unsuccessful, as both girls died from complications of the surgery. Carson was devastated, but vowed to press on, as he knew such procedures could be successful." -
Ladan and Laleh Separation
"In 2003, Carson had to face his biggest challenge: two adult conjoined twins. Ladan and Laleh, were 29 when they decided to be separated. Ben didn't know what to really do, he was trying to convince the twins but they made him go along with the idea. Ben had more than 100 surgeons with him, specialists, and assistants conducted the 52 hour operation in July 8 in Singapore ( Southeast Asia ). Both Laleh and Ladan died because of severe blood loss midway in the separation."
