PALO ALTO, Calif-- MEDIA ADVISORY
 
NEWS CONFERENCE
‘Twins meet the media’
Tuesday, 1/22/08, 12n-1pm
Packard Children's Hospital, 725 Welch Rd., Palo Alto, CA (map)
(handout materials will include pre- and post-surgery video)
 
Yurelia and Fiorella Rocha-Arias have met the media before, but never like this.
 
The formerly conjoined twins, now successfully separated, are ready for their close-up Tuesday (22), 12n-1pm, at Packard Children’s Hospital. The lively 2-year-olds, who enjoy saying “bye” to everyone they meet, will be joined by mom Maria Elizabeth Arias, who’s looking forward to telling the world about their remarkable medical journey and upcoming return to San Jose, Costa Rica. “We’ve certainly come a long way,” said Maria, “but it’s been worth it.”
 
That’s because the girls will be going home “healthy and safe,” according to Gary Hartman, MD, who led the twins’ nine-hour separation surgery on November 12. Yurelia and Fiorella had been joined at the abdomen and chest. They shared a liver and the right atriums of their hearts were connected. After arriving in Palo Alto last July for evaluation, Hartman and multiple teams of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and caregivers determined that successful separation was possible. “The separation was the result of months of planning by many multidisciplinary teams,” said Hartman. “It was risky, complicated and successful.” Hartman had estimated the chance of both girls surviving the surgery at 50 percent. Other surgeries have included correction of Yurelia’s serious heart defect by Frank Hanley, MD, chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery; reconstruction of Yurelia’s chest wall by Hartman and H. Peter Lorenz, MD, chief of pediatric plastic surgery; and a modification of Fiorella’s chest reconstruction and repair of her skin closure. “Basically every discipline in the hospital has been involved with the girls’ care and recovery,” said Hartman, “including respiratory therapy, child life, social workers, interpreter services and chaplaincy.”
 
As outpatients, Yurelia and Fiorella meet with occupational and physical therapists to improve their strength and mobility, and have cardiovascular appointments with Gail Wright, MD. “They’re doing very well,” said Hartman, “and we expect them to grow and develop normally.” For the family, it’s been an unbelievable experience. “It’s definitely a miracle,” said Maria, who has nine other children, “and we’ll never forget so many who have helped us. But we’re ready to go home. The twins can’t wait to see all their brothers and sisters and dad José Luis.”
 
On Tuesday, Maria plans to give thanks to the surgeons and physicians at Packard Children’s who donated their time and expertise to treat Yurelia and Fiorella. In addition, the hospital has covered the expense of all medical and clinical care. Mending Kids International has been providing transportation and housing.
 
“The prayers, guidance and support we have received, both here and in Costa Rica, have helped us through so much,” said Maria. “We are very, very thankful.”