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CNN Live Sunday

Doctors in Texas Plan to Separate Twins Joined at Head

Aired June 23, 2002 - 18:26   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The doctors in Dallas, Texas plan to change the life of two little Egyptian boys, but first they have to separate the conjoined twins, attached at the head. John Hammarley from CNN affiliate KDFW tracks the boys' amazing story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN HAMMARLEY, KDFW CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For traveling about halfway around the world, 7,200 miles give or take a couple, Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrahim looked pretty good when they arrived in Dallas Saturday afternoon.

In fact, throughout their entire year of life, the young boys, conjoined at the crown of the head, have surprised everyone with their versatility.

DR. NASSER ABDLELAL, EGYPTIAN DOCTOR: They have surprised us with the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of their adaptation to their awkward position and being born in a very primal hospital in upper Egypt. It was a surprise for the obstetrician, so by the time...

(CROSSTALK)

ABDLELAL: Yes, it was a shock, actually.

HAMMARLEY: Egyptian doctors almost immediately began searching the world for help.

ABDLELAL: We realize the magnitude of what we're facing, so when Dr. Randu (ph) suggested that we get the kids here, we immediately accepted the generous offer and, as I said, we knew that they're going to be in the best hands.

DR. DAVID GENECOV, SURGEON: The foundation is an independent entity that works with us to help bring all different kinds of children here or in other places to receive care.

HAMMARLEY: The Ibrahim twins will try and get some shut-eye between now and Monday when a host of high-tech tests will be started.

GENECOV: We never see hopelessness. We're physicians. We're surgeons. Nothing is hopeless to a surgeon.

DR. KEN SALYER, PHYSICIAN: As far as I know at this point, their other health issues are normal, so we have two essentially normal kids attached together, who have the potential to lead normal lives if they're separated.

HAMMARLEY (on camera): A word of caution, we don't know yet whether or not the twins can be separated. A highly-sensitive CT scan will be the first of many tests conducted first thing Monday morning. We'll know more after that's done.

I'm John Hammarley, and that's "For Your Health."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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