Dallas, Oct 12: Neurosurgeons successfully separated 2-year-old Egyptian twins joined at the top of their heads after 26 hours in the operating room. Doctors at Children`s Medical Center Dallas worked through the morning today separating the intricate connection of blood vessels running between the brains of Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim considered the riskiest part of the operation.

They were finally separated at 11:17 am (2147 IST), hospital officials announced later in a prepared statement. ``They are now within striking distance of living independent lives,`` said Dr. Jim Thomas, chief of critical care at the hospital.

The next procedure, which could take three to five hours, will involve reconstructing their skulls and covering the wounds with skin, Thomas said. Doctors have spent more than a year planning the surgery, which was expected to take a team of 50 to 60 medical personnel as long to 90 hours to finish.

The first step was to remove skin expanders placed about five months ago in the boys` heads and thighs to provide enough skin and tissue to cover their head wounds. Bureau Report