Conjoined twins separated during 7-hour surgery at Texas Children's Hospital

01-12-2018

Conjoined twin girls were separated last month during a seven-hour surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Anna Grace Richards and Hope Elizabeth Richards were born Dec. 29, 2016, via caesarean section after 35 weeks and five days of gestation, according to a news release from the hospital. Officials said the twins were joined at their chest and abdomen, sharing a diaphragm, liver and part of their heart.

Since then, officials said the girls have been cared for by a team of specialists at the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, preparing for the separation surgery.

A team of nearly 75 surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists and nurses successfully separated the girls on Jan. 13, officials said.