In a groundbreaking moment at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Texas, 16-week-old sisters AmieLynn Rose and JamieLynn Rae Finley have been successfully separated after being born as omphalopagus twins, sharing a liver and critical tissues. Their historic 11-hour surgery, led by Dr. José Iglesias, involved 25 skilled medical professionals and months of meticulous preparation using 3D practice dolls and color-coded systems to ensure precision.
The team carefully timed the procedure at four months old, allowing the twins to grow stronger for the complex separation. The most delicate part—dividing the shared liver—was executed with extreme care, followed by reconstructing their abdominal walls using their own tissue.
The innovative color-coding system, from toenail polish to scrub caps, ensured every surgeon and nurse knew exactly which twin they were responsible for throughout the operation.
Now, for the first time, AmieLynn and JamieLynn are sleeping in separate cribs, beginning life as independent little girls. Their journey from shared existence to individual lives highlights the resilience of the twins, the expertise and coordination of the surgical team, and the hope that modern medicine can offer to families facing rare conjoined births.
This inspiring story is a celebration of human courage, innovation, and the power of collaboration, proving that even the most complex beginnings can lead to extraordinary new chapters.