Surgeon: Conjoined twins appear healthy

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A pediatric surgeon in Oklahoma City says conjoined twins born this year appear healthy and nearly ready for a surgical separation.

Dr. David Tuggle said Preslee Faith Wells and Kylee Hope Wells have doubled in weight during the last two weeks and could potentially undergo the major surgical procedure in late January, The Oklahoman said Friday.

"They both have strong hearts and good blood pressure," Tuggle said of the twins, who were born on Oct. 25 to Stevie Stewart and Kyle Wells.

Tuggle said surgeons are hopeful the infants don't share major blood vessels as such physical connections could pose significant risks during the separation procedure.

The separation surgery would take nearly four hours to complete and would require additional surgeries for the twins if they survive the procedure, Tuggle said.

But the surgeon remained hopeful that both the girls would survive the initial surgery, which could occur sooner in response to any sudden declines in the twins' health.

"They've got a very good chance of survival," Tuggle told the Oklahoman.