RCH Director of Anaesthesia and Pain Management Dr Ian McKenzie has offered positive news, saying the twins’ operation is “progressing fantastically”.

Dr McKenzie revealed that the neurosurgical team is still hard at work separating the brains.  The plastic surgery team will then separate the final part of the bone.

He said that would not be the end of it-the team will then spend quite a few hours after separation to insert synthetic coverings for the brain before closing up each child’s head.

The success of the surgery will be measured by way of milestones.  The twins will go to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for a number of days where they will be monitored closely.  Medical and nursing staff will also be keeping an eye out for any infections that may develop.

Dr McKenzie said there had been a few turnovers of surgical team shifts throughout the operation, with further teams on standby.

“Everything is going to plan and right on the timeframe,” he said.