Conjoined Twins Separated

A set of conjoined twins were separated in Oklahoma City by surgeons at OU Medical Center Monday.

Friday, January 16th 2009, 2:30 pm

By: News 9


Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A set of conjoined twins were separated in Oklahoma City by surgeons at OU Medical Center during an operation that lasted a little more than three hours on Monday.

Preslee Faith Wells and Kylee Hope Wells were separated at 12:14 p.m., a little more than an hour after the operation began, said Hospital spokesman Allen Poston.

"Everything went well," Poston said.

The girls, believed to be the first known American Indian conjoined twins, are listed in critical condition and are in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, where they've been cared for since their birth.

The girls are the first set of conjoined twins born in the metro in about 20 years. Their parents are Stevie Stewart and Kyle Wells of Calumet.

"This is an exciting day for us," Wells said. "We are thankful to the physicians and surgical staff at Children's Hospital. We appreciate all the prayers and hope people keep us in their thoughts over the next few weeks."

The surgery team is being lead by Dr. David Tuggle who successfully separated the last set of conjoined twins in Oklahoma City.

Twins Separated
Preslee and Kylee have a combined weight of 17 pounds. Doctors said they have separate and functioning hearts and do not share any major blood vessels.

Separating the sisters involved splitting the girls' livers and a tissue bridge that connected them. After the girls were separated, they were placed on their backs on separate beds in the operating room so that the surgical team could begin the closing process.

How you can help:
Blood transfusions may be necessary during the surgery. Blood drives are schedule in Concho and Anadarko on the girls' behalf. Donation also can be made for the twins at an Oklahoma Blood Institute location. Find a donation center near you on OBI's Web site.

Anybody who wants to send well wishes to the family can do so at:

  • The Wells Twins
    P.O. Box 252
    Calumet, OK 73014

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