Conjoined Twins Out of Hospital

CLEVELAND – Conjoined twins whose separation surgery was halted because of swelling in the brain of the larger, stronger girl have been released from the hospital, the hospital said Monday.

The 3-year-olds, Anastasia and Tatiana Dogaru, were discharged on Saturday. Initial surgery to separate them Wednesday was halted after 11 hours because of swelling in Anastasia’s brain tissue.

"They are doing well," University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital said.

After their discharge, the girls returned to an apartment in Parma, a Cleveland suburb where the family has been staying since April for the surgery. Doctors have said they would review the situation before deciding their next move.

The twins were born in Italy to Romanian parents. The top of Tatiana’s head is attached to the back of Anastasia’s.

Twins born joined at the head – known as craniopagus twins – occur in about one in 2.5 million births.

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On the Net:

Rainbow-Twins site: http://www.uhhospitals.org/tabid/2390/Default.aspx