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Preslee, left, and Kylee Wells, conjoined twins shown in this Jan. 1, 2009 photo taken by their mother Stevie Stewart. They were separated Monday at The Children's Hospital at Oklahoma University Medical Center. AP Photo/family photo via OU Medical Center

Oklahoma Conjoined Twins Separated

By Murray Evans of the Associated Prss

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nearly 3-month-old girls believed to be the first known American Indian conjoined twins were separated Monday during a three-hour surgery.

The twins were joined at the chest, and the separation process involved their livers and other tissue. Doctors have said the girls have a good chance at survival because they have separate hearts and shared no major blood vessels.

The babies, Preslee and Kylee Wells of Calumet, were listed in critical condition at Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center, where they have been cared for since their birth Oct. 25.

"This is an exciting day for us," their father, Kyle Wells, said in a statement issued by the hospital. "We are very thankful to the physicians and surgical staff at Children's Hospital. We appreciate all the prayers and hope people will keep us in their thoughts over the next few weeks."

Wells and the girls' mother, Stevie Stewart, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, have histories of twins in their families.

Doctors learned of the rare condition during a routine ultrasound in their mother Stevie Stewart's 20th week of pregnancy. The babies were born at 34 weeks via Caesarean section at Children's Hospital.

Murray Evans is an Associated Press staff writer.