Ex-conjoined Malaysian twins improving

Ex-conjoined Malaysian twins improving

SAUDI ARABIA: Formerly conjoined Malaysian twins Ahmed and
Mohammed watched cartoons, flipped through children's books and
shook hands with visitors on Sunday, signs the 4-year-old boys
are improving after a marathon operation to separate them almost
three weeks ago.

Even though they have been living in independent bodies since
Sept. 18, the first thing Ahmed and Mohammed ask for every
morning is to hold hands.

The twins, then joined at the pelvis, chest and abdomen,
arrived with their parents in Saudi Arabia in August after Saudi
Crown Prince Abdullah offered to sponsor their operation.

A team of Saudi specialists spent almost 24 hours last month
separating them at King Abdulaziz Medical City hospital in
Riyadh.

Dr. Abdullah al-Rabeeah, head of the surgical team, said they
will now undergo an intensive physical therapy program before the
boys - each born with one leg - are fitted with artificial legs.
--AP