Acen and Apio Akello, eleven-month-old twin girls born joined at the pelvic and hip region, are recovering after separation surgery Thursday, Sept. 3, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
A surgical team of more than 30 specialists from pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, colorectal surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology and nursing performed the operation, delicately separating the girls’ spines, muscle and tissue. The surgery began at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday and lasted 16 hours.
Gail Besner, MD, chief of pediatric surgery, was the surgeon who separated the twins and delivered the news to Ester, the girls’ mother. Other lead surgeons include Dr. Richard Kirschner, Dr. Marc Levitt, Dr. Rajan Thakkar, Dr. Richard Wood, Dr. Gregory Pearson, and Dr. Lance Governale.
“The girls will continue to receive treatment at this time, and I can’t wait to watch them grow. My hope is that they will be able to sit up on their own, walk and play like any other child,” said Dr. Besner.
