Conjoined twins separated in Malaysia

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 28 (UPI) -- Twin 1-year-old boys in Malaysia are in stable condition after a team of surgeons spent 24 hours separating the conjoined siblings, their father said.

The boys, Muaiman and Muaimin, were born conjoined at the pelvis and penis, sharing three legs and one bladder. Muaiman was able to keep two legs, while Muaimin will require a prosthetic leg following the July 14 surgery, Malaysian newspaper The Star reported.

"With proper rehabilitation, both boys can lead a fairly normal and independent life," said Dr. Zakaria Zahari, pediatric surgeon at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. "The sexual and reproductive functions of both twins will be assessed further as they grow."

The boys' father, Azli Sabran, of Segamat, Johor, said he is grateful the boys are safe.

"I feel so relieved. I could not sleep well before the surgery as I was so worried," he said.

The medical team of 19 surgeons and anesthetists completed the surgery without cost to the twins' parents, The Star said. They were the 14th conjoined pair to be separated at the hospital.