Iraq conjoined twins survive separation operation
Source: Reuters
RIYADH, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Iraqi conjoined twins are in a stable condition after surviving a 21-hour separation operation in Saudi Arabia this weekend, a hospital spokesman said. "They are stable, they are surviving. Now they need a lot of care and major surgery means they are sedated now," said Sami al-Shalan of the National Guard Hospital. "Rehabilitation takes a long time, they'll stay here in Saudi Arabia for at least eight or nine months." Before the operation, which ended early on Sunday, the 11-month-old twins Zahra and Fatima Haidar shared the same liver, colon, anus, urinary and genital system and are joined at the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Their case has attracted media attention because they are from Sadr City in Baghdad where sectarian fighting has taken the country to the brink of civil war. Saudi state television has carried parts of the operation live. "The parents made an appeal on Iraqi television. When King Abdullah heard about it he directed us to bring them to Saudi Arabia for the possibility of separation," Shalan said. The Saudi team, led by surgeon Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, has performed 11 separations of conjoined twins, with a 100 percent success rate.
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