Operation separates fused limbs of Peruvian girl

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 03 Jun 2005 - 10:00 PDT

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A little one-year-old Peruvian girl, Milagros Cerron, has undergone a successful operation to separate her fused 'mermaid' legs - Luis Rubio, head of the surgical team, says she may be able to walk in two years' time. Milagros is now able to wriggle her legs; something she could never do before.

Milagros (the girl's name) means 'miracles' in Spanish. She has a condition called 'sirenomelia' - most babies with sirenomelia die soon after birth because of organ damage.

Milagros will need several operations, say her doctors, who said the operation was more successful than they had expected. Her legs are now separated up to above the knees. In a few months' time she will need another operation to extend the separation.

The operation lasted 4.5 hours. Milagros woke up 15 hours after surgery.

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