Twin
2-year-old girls who were joined at the chest and abdomen were
separated yesterday during a lengthy, complex procedure at Stanford
University’s children’s hospital. Philippines-born sisters Angelina and
Angelica Sabuco underwent nine hours of surgery by a team of more than
20 doctors and nurses to gain their independence. By mid-afternoon, a
hospital spokeswoman announced the girls had been separated and moved to
their own operating rooms for the second phase of surgery –
reconstructing the area where they were connected. Doctors said they
were pleased with the progress of the operation so far at Lucile Packard
Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto. The surgery required separating
livers, diaphragms, breastbones, chest and abdominal wall muscles. The
children were expected to be in the hospital for two to three weeks.
