Formerly Conjoined Twins Recover in Va. After Separation Surgery
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Doctors expect the girls and their mother to rejoin the rest of their family in the Dominican Republic by Christmas.