Surgery separates infant conjoined twins in Texas
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Feb. 10, 2016: This photo provided by Driscoll Children's Hospital shows conjoined twin sisters Scarlett, left, and Ximena Hernandez-Torres at Dirscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. (AP)
Surgery at a South Texas hospital has separated two 10-month-old sisters born conjoined below the waist.
Driscoll Children's Hospital spokesman Jeff Salzgeber says the hourslong operation began Tuesday morning.
Ximena (huh-MEE-nuh) and Scarlett Hernandez-Torres shared a colon and bladders that will be reconstructed. Their identical triplet sister, Catalina, was born without serious health issues.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The hospital staff has cared for the conjoined girls since they were transferred to the Corpus Christi facility hours after birth.
Dr. Haroon Patel says a team of specialists had been working for months to prepare for the surgery, which lasted about 15 hours.
A hospital statement says doctors have a positive outlook for the children's recovery. The girls will require additional surgeries as they grow.