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Conjoined twins op 'successful' Conjoined twins op 'successful'
(30 minutes later)
A 25-hour operation to separate conjoined twins has been successful, say doctors in Australia.A 25-hour operation to separate conjoined twins has been successful, say doctors in Australia.
Bangladeshi twins Trishna and Krishna, who are nearly three years old, were joined at the top of the head.Bangladeshi twins Trishna and Krishna, who are nearly three years old, were joined at the top of the head.
A 16-strong team began the delicate operation separating the girls' brain tissue at 2300GMT on Sunday.A 16-strong team began the delicate operation separating the girls' brain tissue at 2300GMT on Sunday.
On Tuesday, Chief of Surgery Leo Donnan said both girls are "doing well" following the surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.On Tuesday, Chief of Surgery Leo Donnan said both girls are "doing well" following the surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
He said the next step for the pair was reconstructive surgery, the Associated Press news agency reported. 'Surreal'
This is expected to last many hours. Neurosurgeons divided the children's brains at approximately 1100 local time (0000GMT).
Survival rates Mr Donnan said the moment it was done was "rather surreal".
Earlier anaesthetist Dr Ian McKenzie told AP the condition of the girls was improving as their bodies began to work more individually. "There was relief but I think everyone realised there was still a long way to go and that the girls have a very difficult time ahead of them," he said.
The girls were close to death when they arrived in Australia two years ago and they have already had several preparatory operations. He said the next step for the pair was reconstructive surgery.
This is due to take several hours, with the girls then expected to remain in an induced coma for some days, the AFP news agency reported.
Surgeons worked through the night on the two girls
Mr Donnan said the staff who carried out the operation were delighted.
"Everyone has known these girls as one with their individual personalities, so to see them as separate human beings is a pretty amazing moment," he said.
Earlier, anaesthetist Dr Ian McKenzie told AP the condition of the girls was improving as their bodies began to work more individually.
The girls had been close to death when they arrived in Australia two years ago, and they have already had several preparatory operations.
They were flown over by the Children First Foundation, because of the poor survival rates after similar operations in Bangladesh.They were flown over by the Children First Foundation, because of the poor survival rates after similar operations in Bangladesh.
Doctors had earlier said there a 25% chance one of the sisters could die, and a 50% chance of the girls suffering brain damage.Doctors had earlier said there a 25% chance one of the sisters could die, and a 50% chance of the girls suffering brain damage.