Two-year-old twins from the Philippines born with the tips of their heads fused together were «strong and stable» after being separated in a marathon operation that stretched into early Thursday. Surgeons, nurses and technicians applauded in the operating room after Carl and Clarence Aguirre were surgically separated at 10:32 p.m. Wednesday (0232GMT Thursday), said Steve Osborne, a spokesman for the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center. The operation, which continued for several hours after the separation, was completed at 3:20 a.m. (0720GMT) Thursday, Osborne said. Dr. David Staffenberg, the boys' plastic surgeon, said the boys were «strong and stable.» Staffenberg delivered the news of the separation to the twins' mother, Arlene Aguirre, in a private waiting area. He got on his knees, took Aguirre's hands and said «You're now the mother of two boys,» said hospital spokeswoman Pamela Adkins. Aguirre burst into tears, she said. --More 1215 Local Time 0915 GMT
