Return to Transcripts main page

Breaking News

Separated Twin Rushed Back to Operating Room

Aired August 06, 2002 - 12:44   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: I understand we have breaking news out of southern California, our Gary Tuchman there at the site where those conjoined twins were separated after a 22 hour surgery.
Gary, what is the news?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We do have some breaking news, Kyra. And let me say from the top this is not terrible news, but it is also not very good news.

One of the twins successfully separated a short time ago has been rushed back into the operating room. We do not know, according a hospital spokeswoman, why she has been rushed back, but the fact that she has been rushed back is, unfortunately, not good news.

Two 1-year-old twins conjoined at the head, Maria Teresa, Maria de Jesus, after 22 hours, were successfully separated. Doctors had told us there could be complications in the hours and the days and the weeks to come. But it appears there is some type of complication for one of the little girls, who is now back in the operating room as we speak.

We anticipate hearing more in 15 minutes. There was supposed to be a news conference to talk about the great news, that they are both separated and both recovering in the recovery room. There will still be a news conference -- unfortunately, not with all the doctors, because they are still in the operating room now, but with the director of UCLA Medical Center, who will tell us the latest about these two Maria little girls, Maria Teresa and Maria de Jesus -- 4 1/2 pounds when they were born and now separated for the very first time -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Gary, thanks so much. We'll check in with you in about 15 minutes.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com