Local

Conjoined twins first surgery toward separation deemed a success

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Conjoined twins Connor Mirabal and Carter Mirabal spent most of Friday in surgery, with doctors at Wolfson Children's Hospital working to separate the boys' intestines. The surgery was the first of its kind performed in the area.

Action News was at the hospital when it was announced late Friday afternoon that the surgery appears to be a success. There was a collective sigh of relief when that news came out. However, according to the Prayers for Carter & Conner Facebook page, the boys are experiencing some complications, but are in stable condition.

Family members recorded the twins being wheeled into surgery early Friday morning to separate their intestines and close holes in their stomachs.

Surgery preparation started around 8:30 a.m. and the twins went into surgery around 11. Throughout it all, family members showed their support. Even big brother Gage wore a shirt for the twins, who are already miracles -- the survival rate for conjoined twins is only between 5 and 25 percent.

We first spoke to Connor and Carter's mother, Michelle Brantley, shortly after their birth. Now with one separation surgery complete, the boys are able to receive milk and Brantley is finally able to hold her children.

This first surgery is a step toward normalcy for the twins and their family, but it's far from the last surgery.

Latest News Headlines from Action News

Daniel K. Robie, MD, chief of Pediatric Surgery at Wolfson, issued this statement on the twins' surgery:

"Today, Friday, January 2, 2015, at around 8 am, conjoined twins Conner and Carter Mirabal were transported from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to a Pediatric Surgical Suite (OR) at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

"Following placement of an arterial line and administration of anesthesia by pediatric anesthesiologists, surgery began at 10:30 am.

"Surgery was complete at 2 pm and the babies are recovering in the NICU at Wolfson Children's Hospital. They were stable throughout the surgery, thanks to the team of pediatric anesthesiologists, and the outcome was outstanding.

"What happened today:
1.    Dr. Poulos and Dr. Robie removed the mesh cover they placed on Dec. 13 (hours after their birth) at Wolfson Children's Hospital to keep their shared small intestine within their bodies.
2.    Dr. Poulos and Dr. Robie investigated Conner and Carter's abdominal anatomy and found that the babies' bile ducts were also fused (which had not been possible to view before this surgery today)
3.    Dr. Poulos and Dr. Robie partially separated the shared small intestine and removed the large, swollen section of the intestine that was causing obstruction.
4.    The surgeons were able to close the abdominal wall successfully.
5.    The connected portion of the livers was left intact to be separated in the future. This will be the final phase of surgery."

A news conference will be held on Monday, with the babies' parents, neonatologist and pediatric surgeon, to give an update on their condition and what's next.

Sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts