Egyptian twins out of hospital
2004-04-06 12:47
Dallas, Texas - Two formerly conjoined Egyptian twins have been discharged from hospital, nearly six months after they were successfully separated during surgery lasting 34 hours.
Mohamed and Ahmed Ibrahim have been living with their parents in nearby flats since March 24, North Texas Hospital for Children at Medical City said in a statement.
The boys, who will celebrate their third birthday on June 2, return to the hospital each weekday to continue their physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions. They wear special helmets to protect their fragile heads.
"It was hard for everyone involved - especially the pediatric nurses who care for them every day - to see them leave the hospital, but it is wonderful to know that they are living with their family for the first time in their lives," said Sue Blackwood, director of the World Craniofacial Foundation, which covers the boys' non-medical costs.
The boys lived with their father, Ibrahim Gad, from October 2002 until June 2003 in a Dallas flat, but this is the first time both have lived with their parents.
The boys, born in a small Egyptian town, were separated on October 12 at Children's Medical Centre in Dallas during a 34-hour surgery.
About a month after the surgery, the boys returned to North Texas Hospital for Children at Medical City, where they had lived since arriving in Dallas in June 2002.
- AP