Conjoined twin girls connected at heart and liver are successfully separated

Two six-month-old formerly conjoined twin girls are recovering at a Virginia hospital, following a pioneering two-stage operation to separate them.

A'zhari and A'zhiah Jones, who are currently being monitored at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, were born connected at the chest with a shared a liver and pericardium - the fluid-filled sac around the heart and major blood vessels.

They underwent the first phase of their separation surgery in October, but due to ill-health the final part of the complex procedure was postponed until this Monday.

Doctors say the pair have made a full recovery from the 14-hour treatment and there should be no need for future intervention or long-term medication.

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