Conjoined Twins Successfully Separated in Australia Still Want to Be Very Close

A set of conjoined twin sisters who were successfully separated just aren't pleased unless they are snuggling together, according to hospital staff.

Nima and Dawa were fused at the torso and survived a delicate, six-hour separation surgery last week at the Royal Children's Hospital in Australia.

The twins and their mother had flown from their native Bhutan to Melbourne in October. Their surgery was postponed to allow them time to build up their strength after doctors determined they had nutritional deficiencies. 

Now, the 15-month-old girls are laughing and clapping their hands, but they get a little cranky if they're put in separate beds, staff said.

"They're really cheeky, they're not far from one another at any time at all and they're still in the same bed," said nursing coordinator Kellie Smith.

"We try to have them a little bit apart, but they manage bum shuffle back together and have their legs intertwined, always," she added.

The babies are in good health. 

"The areas we tampered with during the surgery are healing well and the girls are getting back to a more normal life," said surgeon Joe Crameri. "The area that we repaired on their tummy wall seems to be dealing with the strain quite well."

The sisters will remain at the hospital for a while longer, the doctor said. 

Meanwhile, they are happy and healing and pulling each other's hair, which they love to do, according to the medical staff. 

RELATED STORIES