Separated Egyptian Twins Breathing on Own

Dallas - The 2-year-old twins from Egypt who were surgically separated earlier this month were breathing on their own again Thursday.

Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim, who were born joined at the tops of their heads, were separated in a marathon operation that ended Oct. 12.

Doctors removed Ahmed's breathing tube for the second time Thursday morning. They had removed the tube Wednesday but replaced it later that day because his throat swelled.

Mohamed, who has been recovering more quickly, was running a fever Wednesday and was put on antibiotics. But doctors said he was in stable condition Thursday.

Ahmed has been smiling and interacting with his family and the medical staff, while Mohamed "has become quite the entertainer, shaking his rattle and laughing when he has an audience," the hospital said in a statement.

The twins also underwent head scans Thursday to evaluate their brains and spinal fluid, and to generate images necessary to make protective headgear for them. The test results were not immediately available. -- AP

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