Bernardo and Arthur Lima are 3-year-old twin brothers who have captured the world’s attention. Their situation was tremendously difficult, because they were conjoined twins, born connected at the head (craniopagus) with a fused brain. However, thanks to scientific advances in favor of human life, these children were successfully separated this past June in Rio de Janeiro. The successful operation was only reported at the beginning of August, because “the teams of doctors held off publicizing it so they could focus on the boys’ recovery,” according to the Washington Post.
Seven operations were required to separate the craniopagus twins, involving nearly 100 medical professionals. The final operation lasted 27 hours, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital (London) pediatric surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani.