First successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the chest and abdomen.

A pair of 10-month-old conjoined twins, joined from the chest to the pelvis and sharing many internal organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, and intestines, have been successfully separated through surgery at Children's Hospital Texas (USA).

Successful separation surgeries of conjoined twins in Vietnam / Conjoined twins joined at the chest and abdomen

Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata, two conjoined twins, were born in April 2014 at Texas Children's Hospital. Born nine weeks premature, they miraculously survived, having overcome death. Each weighed approximately 1.56 kg at birth.

Doctors at Texas Children's Hospital said they had never performed a surgery as complex as this one. Fulfilling the wishes of the twins' parents, they had no other option but to proceed with the surgery.

Elysse was overwhelmed with joy when her two children were successfully separated. Photo: ABCnews.

A research team led by Dr. Darrell Cass began preparing for the surgery from the day the babies were born. They spent months creating 3D models of the children's internal organs and practicing surgery on simulators. Despite thorough preparation, there was still a possibility that the babies would die during the operation.

"Separating conjoined twins is a very complex and risky surgery, and death is definitely one of the risks," said Dr. Cass.

Twelve surgeons from various specialties, six anesthesiologists, and eight nurses participated in the 26-hour operation. Six hours were needed for preparation before the first incision was made. After 15 hours, the doctors began separating the lungs and uterus. By the 18th hour, the babies were no longer conjoined, but at this point, danger arose as they were at risk of excessive blood loss.

While the surgeons were working, Eric and his wife, along with their 5-year-old son and about 20 other family members, stayed in the hospital waiting room. Every two hours, the twins' parents received updates on their children's condition via phone. They were worried when they were told that Adeline's heart rate had slowed.

Elysse and Eric were deeply moved as they thanked the doctors who performed the surgery on their child. Photo: ABCnews.

Twenty-three hours after the surgery, or five hours after the separation, baby Knatalye Hope was recovering. Her older sister, Adeline Faith, woke up an hour later.

The family and medical staff embraced and cheered in overwhelming joy. "It was truly, truly moving to see the two babies separated," Dr. Cass said, with tears in her eyes.

The conjoined twins are as beautiful as angels.

According to Dr. Cass, this is considered the world's first successful surgery to separate conjoined twins joined at the chest and abdomen. The babies are currently recovering, alert, and progressing well. They will remain in the hospital for further monitoring.

Eric and Elysse hugged and kissed their child many times before the surgery. Photo: ABCnews.

Elysse and Eric, a couple living in Lubbock, Texas, said they had been waiting for this day since their first ultrasound revealed they were conjoined twins. "When we found out I was pregnant with twins, my husband was overjoyed; he was beaming. But when the doctor said, 'We think the babies are conjoined,' my heart froze for a moment; I couldn't believe it was true," said Elysse, 26.

Doctors advised Elysse to terminate the pregnancy, but she did not. On April 11, 2014, the two babies were born and miraculously survived. The mother named them Hope and Faith.

True to their name, the conjoined twins Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata were born, survived, and were miraculously separated. Now they can gaze into the sky of their own freedom.

According to VNE