Parted Twin Is Alert After More Surgery
Maria Teresa Quiej Alvarez, one of two formerly conjoined sisters, underwent surgery again Thursday to remove a buildup of blood in her brain.
Doctors at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital said that the operation was a success and that the year-old girl from Guatemala was alert. “She was awake, eyes open,” said Dr. Andy Madikians. “She was moving her hands and feet.”
Surgeons separated the twins Aug. 6. Maria Teresa underwent a blood-removal operation later the same day and again Aug. 16. Her sister, Maria de Jesus, has not returned to the operating room since the separation.
Both girls remain in serious condition. Doctors say their vital signs are stable.
Their father, Wenceslao Quiej Lopez, who bags bananas to support his family, and their mother, Alba Leticia Alvarez, visit the girls daily.
Maria Teresa is still on a respirator and fed intravenously, but Maria de Jesus is breathing on her own and eating baby food.
“She likes sweets,” Madikians said.
*
The twins’ conditions are posted daily on the Web site www.health care.ucla.edu.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
