A team in Houston successfully separated conjoined twins from Lubbock in an operation that lasted over 20 hours.

The conjoined twins, Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata, were born April 2014 to John Eric and Elysse Mata of Lubbock. The twin girls shared a chest wall, as well as lungs, pericardial sac (the lining of the heart), diaphragm, liver, intestines, colon and pelvis.

According to a news release from Texas Children's Hospital, surgeons spent approximately 23 hours on Knatalye and 26 hours on Adeline during the surgery. The team that performed the operation included 12 surgeons, six anesthesiologists and eight surgical nurses.

"This is the first time a separation surgery for thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus twins with this particular configuration has been successful," said Dr. Darrell Cass, pediatric surgeon, co-director of Texas Children's Fetal Center and associate professor of surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. "This surgery was not without its challenges with the girls sharing several organ systems."

Dr. Cass explained that the team prepared for the surgery for months, building a 3D model of the Mata Twins' organs and conducting surgery simulations.

Elysse Mata, mother of the twins, praised the team involved in the surgery.

"We are so grateful to all of the surgeons and everyone who cared for our daughters and gave them the incredible chance to live separate lives," said Mata. "We know how much planning and time went into this surgery and we are so blessed to be at a place like Texas Children's where we have access to the surgeons and caretakers that have made this dream a reality. We also want to express our gratitude to all of the people that have prayed and provided support to our family over the last 10 months."

Both Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith  are recovering in Texas Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Future surgeries are expected for the babies.

[via KLBK]

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