'Youngest ever' conjoined twins separated
January 31, 2016
Identical twins Maya and Lydia underwent the five-hour operation at Bern University Hospital in December, doctors said Sunday.
The girls were born two months premature and joined at the chest and liver. The two also have a triplet sister, Kamilla, who was born healthy.
Doctors had planned to separate the girls a few months after birth, but after just one week the babies' situation began to deteriorate. Both developed life-threatening complications caused by the joined liver, forcing the doctors to attempt surgery.
"We were prepared for the death of both babies, it was so extreme," Barbara Wildhaber, who led the team that carried out the surgery, told Swiss paper "Le Matin Dimanche."
Recovering well
Five surgeons, supported by a team of nurses and anesthesiologists, carried out the procedure on the girls on December 10. At the time, the babies weighed a total of 2.2 kilograms (4.8 pounds). According to Swiss media, it was the first time the surgery had been attempted on such young infants.
"It was magnificent! I will remember it my entire career," Wildhaber said.
Since their surgery, Maya and Lydia have put on weight and are recovering well, "Le Matin Dimanche" reported.
The pair is among only about 200 separated conjoined twins currently alive around the globe, it said.
nm/cmk (AFP, dpa)