Formerly Conjoined Twins Recover in Va. After Separation Surgery

Maria and Teresa Tapia with their mother, Lisandra Sanatis (AP)

Two formerly conjoined toddlers from the Dominican Republic are leaving a Virginia hospital after recovering from separation surgery.

Maria and Teresa Tapia underwent complicated, nearly daylong surgery on Nov. 8 at Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. In a series of procedures, the surgical team divided the twins' liver, pancreas and other shared organ systems and reconstructed their abdominal walls.

After they leave the hospital Friday, the 20-month-old girls will remain in Richmond for follow-up medical visits and to continue outpatient therapy to work on walking and other motor skills as they become accustomed to being separated.

Doctors expect the girls and their mother to rejoin the rest of their family in the Dominican Republic by Christmas.