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| Conjoined twins op 'successful' | Conjoined twins op 'successful' |
| (40 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. |
| 'Surreal' | 'Surreal' |
| Neurosurgeons divided the children's brains at approximately 1100 local time (0000GMT). | Neurosurgeons divided the children's brains at approximately 1100 local time (0000GMT). |
| Mr Donnan said the moment it was done was "rather surreal". | Mr Donnan said the moment it was done was "rather surreal". |
| "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. | "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. |
| He said the next step for the pair was reconstructive surgery, involving the girls' own skin, bone grafts and other artificial material. | |
| 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. | 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 | Surgeons worked through the night on the two girls |
| Mr Donnan said the staff who carried out the operation were delighted. | 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. | "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. | 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. | 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. |
| Margaret Smith, the foundation's chief executive, said it was still too early for celebrations although her staff were "overjoyed". | |
| "I think when we get them to intensive care we'll be very relieved, then it will just be day by day, hour by hour," he said. | |
| 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. |