Wirginia Maixner to embark with mixed emotions on operation to seperate conjoined twins

NEUROSURGEON Wirginia Maixner will embark with mixed emotions on the final marathon operation to separate Krishna and Trishna.

Wirginia Maixner of the Royal Children's Hospital. Picture: David Caird

NEUROSURGEON Wirginia Maixner will embark with mixed emotions on the final marathon operation to separate Krishna and Trishna.

"It's been a really long journey. I'm excited but I have a little bit of trepidation," Ms Maixner said.

But the director of neurosurgery at the Royal Children's Hospital said she knew she just had to focus on practicalities and get the job done.

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She would prepare for the most complex surgery she's ever performed by getting "a very good night's sleep", she said.

Ms Maixner admitted feeling very attached to the twins, whom she met when they were at death's door two years ago.

Since then, she had gone over their surgery countless times, both with colleagues and subconsciously.

"They were extremely ill, Krishna was dying from heart failure, and Trishna was surviving, but because they were together, then if one child died, both children would die," she explained.

"Krishna was incredibly sick. She didn't really have much personality, she was just too ill. Trishna, on the other hand, was better, and she didn't like boys."

Every time Ms Maixner did the ward rounds with a male doctor, Trishna became very concerned. She recalls: "It was very funny.

"They have just blossomed into these delightful toddlers.

"If they were any other children they would be up running around, getting into mischief, throwing tantrums - it is incredible," she said.

"It just reminds you of how much they need to be apart."

Ms Maixner said she felt lucky to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be involved in the medical care of conjoined twins.

The decision to proceed with attempting to separate the twins was not taken lightly, as it would be very risky. But there was a 25 per cent chance of the sisters surviving the operation well, and she felt optimistic about that happening.

The goal was to be able to bring them through the surgery in a good condition, and all the surgeons felt there was enough chance to do that, Ms Maixner said.

Separating the girls was necessary to give them the best chance in life, she added. If they were both in good shape the day after surgery, she'd be ecstatic.

But the following week would remain critical, and even after that, it would be a long road to recovery.

"When we get to two years down the track and they are finally running, we'll have a little party," she said.