Adorable Video Shows Separated Conjoined Twins Cuddling Each Other Weeks After Surgery

This is the heartwarming moment formerly conjoined twins, Anias and Jadon McDonald, cuddle just weeks after life-changing separation surgery.

In an adorable video uploaded to Facebook by the conjoined twins’ mum, Nicole McDonald, 14-month-old twins, Anias and Jadon, who used to be conjoined in the head, can be seen “chatting” to each other and their parents, while Jadon babbles “Dada” as Anias cuddles him.

The video comes just six weeks after surgeons in New York in the US did a risky 16-hour surgery to separate the boys.

Ms McDonald gave birth to Anias and Jadon via caesarean section in September 2015. She learnt the twins were conjoined during a routine scan in early pregnancy.

Anias and Jadon are craniopagus twins, which is an extremely rare condition and occurs just once in every 2.5 million births. Doctors say they were not expected to survive past two years of age if they were not separated.

In October, a team of world class surgeons led by top craniopagus neurosurgeon Dr James Goodrich did a risky separation surgery where they used 3D models of the boys’ skulls and brains to predict how the intricate surgery would unfold. The boys had already undergone three operations to stretch their skin so it could be sewn together once they were separated.

Dr Goodrich told CNN that the delicate surgery had the risk of brain damage or even death but said that it was necessary for the boys’ long term quality of life.

Jadon, who was the strongest twin before the surgery, coped well with the separation and is thriving, however, Anias has difficulty during the operation as he already had health struggles before the operation. Yet, Dr Goodrich is optimistic that both boys will do well as they continue to recover and rehabilitate.

Source: Essentialbaby.com.au