Conjoined Twins Separated at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital

VALHALLA, NY — The first separation of conjoined twins ever performed at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital took place during a 21-hour procedure Jan. 17-18.

More than 50 medical professionals took part in the surgeries for Ballenie and Bellanie Camacho.

According to hospital officials, the separation surgery was the most significant in a series of procedures.

Earlier operations, which helped prepared the twins for separation, included gastrointestinal and reconstructive surgery.

It is believed to be the first time in medical history that some of the surgical work was performed using laparoscopic techniques on twins joined at the lower back, hospital officials said.

Dr. Samir Pandya, who served as leader of the surgical team along with Dr. Whitney McBride, said the twins were strong and doing well after a long, complex surgery.

“Their attachment presented us with many challenges but after a successful separation, Ballenie and Bellanie now have chances for better lives,” he said.

The twins were connected at the base of the spine. They had gastrointestinal connections and shared a branch of an artery that supplied blood to the pelvic region, hips, thighs and reproductive organs.

Conjoined twins occur about one in every 200,000 births.

The children were born Feb. 4, 2016, to Laruilin Celadilla Marte and Marino Abel Camacho. They reside in Moca, Dominican Republic.

Doctors said their prognosis is good and they will spend several weeks in recovery at maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Photo credit: Maria Fareri Children's Hospital.