Twin boys born conjoined celebrate 1st birthday after separation surgery
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 [October 10, 2024]
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Twin brothers who were born conjoined recently
celebrated their first birthday after undergoing successful separation
surgery.
Amari and Javar Ruffin, whose family lives in Philadelphia, were born
via cesarean section on Sept. 29, 2023. The brothers — who shared part
of their sternum, diaphragm, abdominal wall and liver — weighed a
combined 6 pounds.
On Aug. 21, a surgical team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with
more than two dozen specialists, including surgeons, anesthesiologists,
radiologists, nurses, and many others, operated for eight hours to
separate the boys. Their abdomens were closed and rebuilt using layers
of mesh and plastic surgery techniques.
The boys went home Tuesday to be with their parents, Tim and Shaneka,
and their siblings, Kaylum and Anora.
“Seeing them each in their own beds was an indescribable feeling,”
Shaneka Ruffin said. “It feels like we are beginning a new journey as a
family of six. We are so grateful to CHOP for helping make this day
possible and letting us start this next chapter.”
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This undated photo provided by the Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia in October 2024 shows previously conjoined twins, Amari
and Javar Ruffin, after separation surgery at the Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia. (Ed Cunicelli/Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia via AP)
 The Ruffins learned the twins were
conjoined through a routine ultrasound 12 weeks into the pregnancy.
Shaneka Ruffin said it was recommended to her that she terminate her
pregnancy. They got a second opinion, and the hospital told them
that though the boys had a rare condition, they could be separated
successfully.
Conjoined twins occur roughly once in every 35,000-80,000 births.
The hospital is one of only a few in the U.S. with expertise in
separating them.
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