Twins Joined at Chest Healing After Separation

Four-month-old twins born joined at the chest but separated over the weekend are doing well and may help write the textbook for the tricky operations, their surgeons said.

Jade and Erin Buckles are sedated and breathing with the help of ventilators, but surgeons were celebrating an easier-than-expected operation to separate them. The girls were born fused at the chest, with intertwined hearts that beat in unison.

“They are in intensive care and making good progress so we are encouraged,” said lead surgeon Dr. Gary Hartman of Children’s National Medical Center.