The Longest Surgeries Ever Performed: Incredible Stories Surgeons around the world routinely perform surgeries that test the limits of human endurance, precision, and skill. While most procedures are completed within a few hours, some extraordinary cases require marathon efforts that stretch over multiple days, involving large multidisciplinary teams and countless hours of focus. These exceptionally long surgeries are performed to save lives or improve the quality of life for patients with complex conditions. Here, we explore some of the longest surgeries ever performed, examining the incredible stories of determination, resilience, and medical innovation behind these monumental efforts. 1. Separation of Conjoined Twins: A 50-Hour Marathon Surgery One of the longest and most challenging surgeries ever performed is the separation of conjoined twins, particularly those joined at the head (craniopagus twins). These surgeries are not only lengthy but also require precise coordination among various specialists, from neurosurgeons to plastic surgeons. Case Overview: In 2003, in Singapore, a team of over 50 medical professionals led by Dr. Keith Goh and Dr. Ben Carson undertook a 50-hour surgery to separate 29-year-old Iranian twins, Ladan and Laleh Bijani, who were joined at the head. This was the first attempt to separate adult craniopagus twins, making it a groundbreaking endeavor. Challenges: The twins shared a critical vein that drained blood from the brain, posing a significant risk of severe blood loss or stroke. The surgical team had to carefully dissect the shared dura mater (the brain's tough outer membrane) and reroute blood flow while avoiding damage to critical brain areas. Outcome: Tragically, despite the meticulous planning and the surgeons' best efforts, both twins died due to significant blood loss and complications during the procedure. This case remains a landmark in surgical history for its complexity and the ethical discussions it generated about the limits of surgical intervention. For further reading, visit: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53287063 2. 96-Hour Ovarian Tumor Removal Surgery Surgeries involving the removal of massive tumors are often prolonged due to the complexity of separating the tumor from surrounding tissues without causing significant damage or blood loss. Case Overview: In 1951, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, a surgical team led by Dr. Cecil Ivy removed a giant ovarian cyst weighing over 300 pounds from a 58-year-old woman. This marathon surgery lasted an astonishing 96 hours. Challenges: The sheer size of the tumor posed a multitude of challenges. The surgical team had to carefully manage the patient's fluid balance and blood pressure throughout the operation to prevent circulatory collapse. Additionally, the tumor was intricately connected to vital organs and tissues, requiring painstaking dissection. Outcome: The patient survived the surgery, marking a remarkable achievement in the history of surgery. The case demonstrated the limits of human endurance and the potential for successful outcomes in even the most extreme surgical situations. More details can be found at: https://www.nytimes.com/1951/09/07/...und-ovarian-cyst-at-cook-county-hospital.html 3. 36-Hour Liver Transplant Surgery Liver transplant surgeries are complex procedures that can take many hours, especially in cases involving rare blood types, multiple transplants, or previous surgical complications. Case Overview: In 2010, a 36-hour liver transplant surgery was performed at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. The patient, a 56-year-old woman with a rare blood type, required a highly complex transplant after several failed attempts to treat her failing liver. Challenges: The prolonged surgery involved removing the patient's diseased liver, preparing the site for the donor liver, and implanting the donor organ while maintaining hemostasis and preventing rejection. Complications from previous surgeries, such as extensive scarring and adhesions, further complicated the procedure. Outcome: Despite the surgery's length, the patient made a remarkable recovery, underscoring the dedication and resilience of the surgical team. This surgery remains one of the longest and most challenging liver transplants in history. For more information, visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672998/ 4. 23-Hour Bilateral Hand Transplant Surgery Hand transplantation is a relatively new field of reconstructive surgery that involves the reattachment of donor hands to a recipient. These surgeries are highly intricate and require multidisciplinary teams. Case Overview: In 2009, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a 57-year-old man underwent a 23-hour surgery to receive bilateral hand and forearm transplants. The patient had lost his hands due to sepsis, and the surgery aimed to restore his independence and quality of life. Challenges: The surgery required connecting bones, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves with microsurgical precision. Each team of surgeons worked in shifts to maintain focus and reduce fatigue. Outcome: The surgery was successful, and the patient regained significant functionality in his transplanted hands after extensive rehabilitation. This case remains a milestone in the field of transplant surgery and reconstructive medicine. For more insights, visit: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/facial-reconstruction/about/pac-20385191 8. 20-Hour Craniopagus Twin Separation Surgery Craniopagus twins are conjoined at the skull, sharing brain tissue and sometimes even major blood vessels. Their separation requires a highly skilled multidisciplinary team and can take many hours or even days. Case Overview: In 2019, at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, a 20-hour surgery was performed to separate two-year-old twins, Safa and Marwa Ullah, who were conjoined at the head. The twins shared significant brain tissue and blood vessels, making the surgery exceptionally complex. Challenges: The surgical team had to perform multiple procedures over several months, gradually separating shared brain tissue and vascular structures. The final surgery involved delicately separating the remaining connections and reconstructing the skulls. Outcome: The surgery was a resounding success, with both twins surviving and making a good recovery. This incredible feat of surgery was widely hailed as a milestone in pediatric neurosurgery. To learn more, visit: https://www.theguardian.com/science...parate-craniopagus-twins-in-20-hour-operation 9. The 18-Hour Partial Face Transplant Surgery Partial face transplants are complex and time-consuming procedures that involve replacing part of a patient’s face with donor tissue. These surgeries are often performed on patients who have suffered severe facial trauma or burns. Case Overview: In 2005, at the Cleveland Clinic, the first near-total face transplant in the United States took place, lasting 18 hours. The recipient was a 46-year-old woman who had suffered severe facial trauma in a gunshot accident. Challenges: The procedure required the surgical team to meticulously connect tiny nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and skin from the donor’s face to the recipient. The surgeons also had to ensure that the new tissue would survive and integrate with the patient’s existing tissue. Outcome: The surgery was a success, marking a significant advancement in reconstructive surgery and offering hope to patients worldwide with severe facial injuries. For more information, visit: https://www.clevelandclinic.org/face-transplant 10. 14-Hour Spinal Surgery to Remove a Giant Tumor Spinal tumors can be exceptionally challenging to remove due to their proximity to the spinal cord and nerves. These surgeries often require long hours and meticulous planning to avoid causing paralysis or other neurological deficits. Case Overview: In 2007, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a 14-hour surgery was performed to remove a giant spinal tumor from a 31-year-old patient. The tumor was compressing the spinal cord and threatening to cause permanent paralysis. Challenges: The surgical team had to carefully navigate around the spinal cord and nerves, removing the tumor without causing irreversible damage. The lengthy procedure required multiple surgeons working in shifts to maintain precision and focus. Outcome: The surgery was successful, with the patient regaining full function and making a remarkable recovery. This case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork and careful surgical planning in complex spinal surgeries. For more details, visit: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/spine-surgery Conclusion These extraordinary surgeries demonstrate the incredible capabilities and resilience of surgical teams worldwide. The longest surgeries ever performed are not only feats of medical and surgical expertise but also testaments to the human spirit’s commitment to saving lives and advancing the field of medicine. While these marathon surgeries present significant challenges, they also offer invaluable lessons in teamwork, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care. As medical professionals, understanding these incredible stories helps us appreciate the depth of commitment and skill required to perform such surgeries and inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medicine.
