Conjoined twin boys 'have won the battle of their lives'

THE parents of conjoined twins have described how their baby sons had won the "battle of their lives" after they were successfully separated.

• Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, who were joined at the chest, are said to be stable after a 14-hour operation to separate them. Picture: Getty

Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf – dubbed the "little fighters" – are in intensive care in a stable condition following a 14-hour operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, according to surgeon Edward Kiely.

Their parents Angie and Azzedine Benhaffaf said yesterday: "The sun is shining today for our two little fighters, who have won the battle of their lives."

Mr and Mrs Benhaffaf, from Cork in Ireland, added: "Words cannot express the relief and love we feel for our two boys.

"We thank God, we thank the surgeons and the gifted team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and we thank from the bottom of our hearts the Irish nation and everyone who prayed for our beloved twins.

"We are so proud of the courage and strength that Hassan and Hussein have shown, and they both have made the world a much better place with them in it."

The twins were born in December at University College London Hospital.

Mr Kiely, consultant paediatric surgeon at the hospital, said: "I can confirm that the twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf have been separated in a 14-hour operation yesterday. The twins are in intensive care and are sedated but stable. We are pleased with how the operation went."

About 20 staff, including four anaesthetists and four surgeons, worked in shifts during the complex procedure.

The boys were joined at the chest but did not share any major organs.