Conjoined Twins Undergo Separation Surgery, Healthy Enough to go Home

Conjoined Twins Undergo Separation Surgery, Healthy Enough to go Home
Scarlett and Ximena Hernandez-Torres, a pair of identical twins, were born connected at the waist.

Scarlett and Ximena Hernandez-Torres, a pair of identical twins, were born connected at the waist. The pair shared a bladder and a colon, in what the medical community ruled as a 1 in 50 million chance. The twins, who turned one year old just before leaving the hospital, were born with a triplet who was not attached to them.

Last month, the girls underwent an incredibly long surgery to separate them . Before the surgery, doctors used a 3-D model from an MRI of the twins to help plan the surgery, in addition to using what is known as a “spy camera” to help separate the girls without disturbing their blood flow.

The girls, who were treated at the Driscoll Children’s Hospital, have now been released to the care of a local Ronald McDonald House, where they will stay with their sister, older brother and mother. Although they have been deemed stable enough to leave the hospital, they may spend up to a year in the Ronald McDonald House undergoing physical therapy and medical treatment to ensure that they have all of the tools and equipment available to live a full life.

Their mother, Silvia, has said she is concerned about their mobility now that they are separated, but she is taking comfort in her belief that this ordeal is all part of God’s will.

Silvia has stated that since the separation, the girls have begun to develop separate personalities that were not as apparent as when they were conjoined.

She said of the girls, “Scarlett likes to dance, sing and she smiles a lot. Ximena is most of the time sleeping but she smiles a lot.”

While the family spends time at the Ronald McDonald House, they will need many supplies such as diapers, clothes and blankets. An Amazon Wish List has been set up for the family to help sustain them through the months and perhaps year of physical therapy ahead. You can donate supplies by going to their Amazon Wish List and purchasing an item for them, which will be sent directly to the Ronald McDonald House.

About Anna Scanlon:
	Anna Scanlon is an author of YA and historical fiction and a PhD student at the University of Leicester where she is finishing her degree in modern history. You can find out more about Anna and her books on her lifestyle blog annainwonderland.co.uk.

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