Separating a conjoined twins

(Photo: TN)

In the picture are American 5-month-old twins Abbigail and Isabelle in their parents' arms just a few minutes before they are put on the operating table in hopes of gaining independent life.

The two are conjoined in the abdomen and chest with the spleen, liver, bile duct and part of the intestine are not separated. By 13.5, they began the recovery process after surgery on two different beds. About 30 medical professionals participated in a 7-hour surgery at Mayo Hospital (USA). Fortunately, the two children have 2 separate hearts.

Images taken before the surgery showed Isabelle's heart touching her sister's body. Liver separation is the most complicated procedure of surgery. Now the doctors think that the chances of both children surviving will be very high: from 90 to 95%.