11-Month-Old Conjoined Twins Separated: Acen And Apio Akello Enjoy Their First Moments ‘Apart’

In a landmark surgery, 11-month-old conjoined twins Acen and Apio Akello were successfully separated at a hospital in Columbus, Ohio, on September 3. According to ABC News, the twin girls who are originally from Uganda have come to the the U.S. for the highly complicated surgery. The conjoined twins were operated upon last week and after a marathon 16-hour surgery, the two were separated successfully. The conjoined twins were joined at the pelvis and the hip area. Following the surgery, both Acen and Apio were reportedly doing well. Over 30 medical staff from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital were part of the delicate surgery that involves the separation of several critical nerves and blood vessels.

The conjoined twins are currently recovering at the hospital. Both of them would remain at the hospital for some time. They are expected to learn to crawl and sit up in the future, something that was not possible for them when they were conjoined. Esther Akello, the mother of the conjoined twins, was ecstatic after she learned that the surgery was successful.

“I’ll be very happy to finally hold my babies in my arms and be able to fit them separately. It will be very exciting for me,” she said.

Following their separation surgery, both girls were attended by additional nurses and anesthesiologists who were specifically called to assist in the reconstructive surgery process. According to Dr. Gail Besner, chief of pediatric surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the staff of 30 people designated to conduct the complex surgery spent “several hundred hours” preparing for the surgery.

Describing the nature of the conjoined twins, Besner revealed that in spite of being twins, both girls had different personalities.

“One is more submissive, one [Acen] is slightly smaller than the other and is a little more high strung”, he revealed.

The conjoined twins were in the hospital since December 2014 and were since then preparing for the surgery. They are expected to remain there for the next few months until they are ready to leave and lead normal, independent lives.

“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,” Besner said in a statement.

A video was also shot moments after the conjoined twins were officially separated. Doctors were seen cheering each other moments after the completion of the complex surgery.

We wish both Acen and Apio Akello a speedy recovery.

[Image Via ABC News/Nationwide Chikdren’s Hospital]