Cork twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf are in a stable condition and making steady progress following their separation almost two weeks ago, London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital said today.
The boys, who were conjoined at the chest when born in December, were successfully separated during a 14 hour operation at the hospital on April 7th and 8th.
The procedure was carried out by Cork-born consultant paediatric Edward Kiely and a team of about 30 other doctors.
In a statement released today, Great Ormond Street Hospital said the twins remained in intensive care but were making progress on a daily basis.
"The surgical team had always anticipated a substantial period of recovery from this major surgery. They are broadly where the medical team expected them to be at this point."
Their mother, Cork-woman Angie Benhaffaf, said the days since the operation had been tough for her, the boys Algerian-born father Azzedine and their sisters Malika (4) and Iman (2).
"Even though the sun has shone since their separation, we've also had dark clouds that hovered over their little cots in intensive care and brought difficult days for them both," she said.
"Both Hassan and Hussein have been through so much…As parents we sometimes feel helpless and we watch anxiously what our precious twins are going through everyday."
Ms Benhaffaf, from Carrigtwohill in east Cork, said the boys faced a long journey but that the support the family had received from the public was a massive help.
"Thanks to each of you who continue to keep the boys in your thoughts and prayers," she said.
The brothers, who have become know as "the little fighters", were born in December at University College Hospital in London and returned to Cork University Maternity Hospital later that month before being discharged in January.
