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Health | 7 September, 2006 [ 13:15 ]

Peru's "Little Mermaid" receives second operation to separate legs - Update-

- Update on bottom -

Dr. Luis Rubio greets reporters while holding Milagros before her surgery on Thursday

(LIP-wb) Milagros Cerron, a Peruvian girl born with sirenomelia, or "mermaid syndrome", is scheduled to undergo a second operation today to fully separate her legs.

In June 2005 doctors successfully performed risky surgery to separate her legs to above her knees.
Lead physician Dr Luis Rubio said a team of 8 specialists will operate on Milagros, now 2 years and 4 months old, to separate the remaining 10cm of fused tissue just below the groin.

"With this operation we hope to fully conclude the separation of her lower limbs," he said at a news conference on Monday night, accompanied by a vivacious Milagros.

"I expect to be walking the streets of Lima holding her hand in December, which would be a Christmas gift for her family."

He said Milagros, affectionately called "the little mermaid" by Peruvians, has developed the ability to stand alone without help and take small assisted steps.

- read the full story here (by Carla Salazar, AP/The Star, South Africa)

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Sept. 7, 2006, 1:15 p.m. - Update -

Peru's "miracle baby" on Thursday underwent a successful second operation to fully separate her legs and allow her to walk unassisted, according to the lead doctor on the eight-person team performing the surgery.

"We have finished with the final part of the thighs. After recovery from this operation, she probably will be able to walk in better conditions," Dr. Luis Rubio said.

- read the full story here (by Carla Salazar, AP/Washington Post)

tags : Peru health Milagros Cerron mermaid sirenomelia surgery

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