Dr Askar Kukkady, a pioneering surgeon, led a groundbreaking conjoined twins separation surgery in New Zealand in 2004

If you are familiar with the groundbreaking medical achievement in 2004, where a team of highly skilled surgeons successfully completed a complex conjoined twins separation Surgery in New Zealand, you might want to know the doctor who helmed the operation.

Dr Askar Kukkady is the extraordinary surgeon who led the conjoined twins separation surgery at Starship Hospital. This operation is still hailed as a milestone in Paediatric Surgery, transforming the lives of the twins and leaving a lasting impact on the medical community.

Recalling the feat, Dr Kukkady says, “The twins were conjoined at the lower body, with their spines and pelvic organs fused together, making the surgery an incredibly intricate and unprecedented endeavour.”

So how did he and his team do it?

“The journey to the operation was fraught with challenges,” says Dr Kukkady as there was a scarcity of data and information about similar cases worldwide.

Undeterred, he conducted extensive research, consulted experts from around the globe, and meticulously planned every aspect of the separation.

“Several innovative approaches were devised, including the use of custom-sized dolls to simulate the twins’ positioning during surgery and the implementation of a special camera system to aid in visualizing the complex procedure.

“The surgical team color-coded the twins, one in red and the other in blue, facilitating communication and coordination throughout the 22-hour operation,” says Dr Kukkady, whose ability to maintain confidentiality and create a supportive environment for the family demonstrated his exceptional dedication.

The successful separation marked a turning point in the lives of the twins, who were only three months old at the time. They have since celebrated their 19th birthday, leading independent lives, pursuing careers, and forming meaningful relationships.

Reflecting on this career-defining moment, Dr Kukkady expresses his gratitude for the support and encouragement he received from his colleagues, particularly the former president of the hospital, who believed in his capabilities from the start.

The operation not only earned him recognition within New Zealand but also in his hometown in India, where he has since returned to share his expertise and inspire others in the medical field.

Dr Kukkady’s fascination with paediatric surgery began at a young age. “There were no doctors in our family, but I always wanted to be a doctor. I was 17 when I started studying medicine, and I completed my degree at the age of 22,” he says.

And it was during his second year of medicine that he had a transformative experience. “The very first operation I saw in my life was a baby undergoing a hernia operation. It sparked my interest,” he recalls.

This experience, combined with guidance from an exceptional mentor during clinical postings, ignited his passion for paediatric surgery. “I never looked back.”

As he progressed through his medical career, Dr Kukkady found immense joy in interacting with children, and he relished the unique challenges they presented. From abdominal to kidney surgeries, and even complex cases like cleft lips and orthopaedics, he embraced the variety of conditions and systems he encountered in the field.

By the age of 27, Dr Kukkady had completed his training, earning his MBBS and MS degrees from Kasturba Medical College of Mangalore in India. Seeking further advancement, he pursued the prestigious MCh (Magister Chirurgiae) qualification in paediatric surgery from Calicut, now known as Kozhikode.

It was during this time that Dr Kukkady’s professors, who had themselves been trained in Australia, facilitated his opportunity to work as a registrar in Sydney. He arrived in 1992 with the plan to return to India after two years.

However, Dr Kukkady’s plans took a turn with the Babri Masjid demolition in 1993, which saw Hindu-Muslim riots even in his hometown. Being a Muslim himself, his father urged him not to return. “That made a huge change in my life.”

In his final days in Australia, Dr Kukkady applied for residency in New Zealand, which was just opening its doors to immigrants.

Arriving in New Zealand with his two young children in 1997, Dr Kukkady’s journey to establish himself as a paediatric surgeon had its share of challenges. Despite his past experience, including completing an International Fellowship in Los Angeles, he couldn’t find a job.

“So, I did the NZREX Clinical exam, typically taken by final-year MBBS students, in order to be considered for employment,” says Dr Kukkady.

He secured a registrar position at Starship Hospital purely by chance. A previous international fellow hired for the role was unable to communicate effectively in English, leaving the hospital in need of a replacement.

While working as a registrar, he once again applied for training in paediatric surgery. This time he was accepted into the program. During this four-year training period, he passed the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) exam, further solidifying his expertise.

In 2003, Dr Kukkady was selected as a consultant at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, launching his career as a paediatric surgery specialist in New Zealand.

Then 2004 happened, and Dr Kukkady got the opportunity to perform the complex operation of separating the first set of Pygopagus conjoined twins in Australasia.

While the response following the conjoined twins’ separation was incredible, Dr Kukkady says he felt immense pride, considering that some had advised him to pursue alternative specialties when he first arrived in New Zealand, casting doubt on his ability to thrive in paediatric surgery.

Today, Dr Kukkady primarily practices in the public sector and holds various positions in the field of paediatric surgery. Notably, he serves as the New Zealand representative to the Board of Pediatric Surgery for FRACS.

Having been part of the Global Health team in Samoa as a volunteer, he is passionate about continuing his volunteering efforts. He believes in the importance of training local healthcare professionals rather than solely providing temporary assistance.

Outside of his career, Dr Kukkady enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and has a passion for music and cricket.

His unwavering commitment to his patients and his passion for paediatric surgery remain at the heart of his remarkable journey.

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