One-year-old conjoined twins separated in Israel

Israeli doctors say they have performed a complex surgery to separate one-year-old conjoined twins, the first such effort ever in Israel.

The twin girls were separated in a 12-hour procedure by Israeli and international medical experts at the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel's Beersheba. The twins were born in August of last year in Soroka hospital.

Months before the operation, the twins were given skin and tissue expanders to stretch the skin and close the scalps after the procedure. It said the team used 3D models and virtual reality models to map out the complex procedure. 

This enabled for simulations of the operation and practice before the actual procedure. Soroka medical centre said some 50 staff members took part in the preparation and execution of the procedure.