A pair of conjoined twins was successfully separated in Ho Chi Minh City on July 15, in an operation which involved more than 90 doctors, nurses and medical experts and lasted for 13 hours and 40 minutes, VnExpress reported.

Hoang Truc Nhi and Hoang Dieu Nhi were born prematurely on June 7 last year at Hung Vuong Hospital in the city. The two girls were joined at the pelvis. After birth, they were transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Children Hospital to be raised and monitored.

The twins were classified as a pair of Ischiopagus Tetrapus (Quadripus) conjoined twins, which means they have a symmetrical continuous longitudinal axis with their area of union not broken anteriorly, according to doctors.

Over the past year, the twins had learned to sit up and coordinate with each other to move around despite their condition. Their parents, doctors and therapists all took great care of them daily, attending to their every need, from feeding them to changing diapers.

Two weeks before the surgery, the pair was administered antibiotics to prevent possible infections. The twins were deemed ready for the surgery after reaching 13 months, weighing 15 kilograms and having health statistics close enough to that of normal children.

Truc Nhi and Dieu Nhi shared parts of their ileums and colons, and a single anus. They also had two separate bladders on two sides of their belly. Two ureters led to the two bladders. Their pelvis was arranged similar to a circle.

Hoang Dieu Nhi and Hoang Truc Nhi before their separation surgery at the Ho Chi Minh City Children Hospital. Photo: VnExpress

The twins’ mother accompanied them all the way to the operating theater before parting ways and waiting outside with the father. Photo: VnExpress

The surgery started at 6:30am on July 15 at HCMC Children Hospital, and was expected to last for around 12 hours. Around 93 doctors, nurses and medical experts from several HCMC hospitals, including Tran Dong A, 79, a doctor renowned for successfully separating a pair of conjoined twins back in 1988, were on hand. Photo: VnExpress

The surgery went as planned. The surgeons managed to separate the two girls at around 2:10pm. Photo: VnExpress

Truc Nhi was then taken to another surgery room, while Dieu Nhi stayed on. The two will undergo reconstructive surgery to restore their appearance and some body parts. Photo: VnExpress

The surgery ended successfully at around 6:45 pm. The two girls were then transferred to a care unit in HCMC Children Hospital to be under observation. Photo: VnExpress

Doctors and nurses at the HCMC Children Hospital celebrate the successful separation of the two girls on July 15. Photo: VnExpress