Doctors separate infant conjoined twins in Texas

Doctors have reportedly separated two 10-month-old sisters born conjoined below the waist.  Reconstructive work continued after the separation.

Driscoll Children's Hospital spokesman Jeff Salzgeber says the hourslong operation began Tuesday morning.

Ximena and Scarlett Hernandez-Torres share a colon and bladders that will be reconstructed. Their identical triplet sister, Catalina, was born without serious health issues.

The father of the girls, Raul Torres told the Caller-Times that the separation was successful.

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 was expected to last 12 to 18 hours.

A hospital statement says doctors have a positive outlook for the children's recovery. The girls will require additional surgeries as they grow.