Bishop to lead nation’s prayers for Little Fighters as they face 20 hours of surgery

THE Bishop of Cork and Ross will lead the nation in prayer today for Ireland’s conjoined twins as they begin their longest day.

Most Reverend Dr John Buckley, who has been supporting the Benhaffaf family in recent weeks, said little Hassan and Hussein will have a place in his heart today as they undergo the planned separation surgery.

But he also said he will pray for the members of the 25-strong medical team who face a gruelling 20-hours in the operating room.

Barring last minute complications, the complex operation to separate the four-month-olds was due to begin at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) at 8.30am.

It will be led by world expert in the management of conjoined twins, consultant paediatric surgeon, Mr Edward Kiely.

Mr Kiely, who was born in Cork, has been managing conjoined twins cases at GOSH since the 1980s.

Dr Kiely briefed the twins’ parents, Angie and Azzedine, for the final time last night on how he and his team of expert nurses, doctors, and other health professionals intend to proceed today.

The boys are joined at the chest and do not share any major organs – boosting the boys’ chances of survival after planned separation surgery to 80%.

But Mr Kiely said the experience of his GOSH team in areas such as scanning and imaging and other related pre-operative specialities, as well as in post-operative intensive care, will be as important as the surgical skills required over the coming hours.

Angie and Azzedine spent last night with the boys in the hospital before entrusting them to the care of Mr Kiely.

Two close family members, Angie’s brother Chris, and her aunt Val, have arrived in London to offer them support and to care for their daughters, Iman and Malika over the coming days.

Pending the outcome of today’s surgery, the twins face a lengthy period – days and possibly weeks – in intensive care.

As of June 2009, the GOSH team has dealt with 21 separations of conjoined twins – 18 in London and three elsewhere – and has successfully separated twins joined at the brain. The team has also dealt with nine inoperable cases.

Angie and Azzedine thanked all the hospitals involved in the care of their boys so far and thanked the public for their good wishes and support.

A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street hospital has confirmed that the separation surgery is due to take place today.

“The hospital and the family do not plan to make any announcement on the case before Thursday morning earliest, but will not commit to specific times for any updates.”

Angie and Azzedine, and their family, are being filmed by the Tonight Programme, ITV1. Tonight has been following their journey over the last month. The family will not do any interviews during this time.

Meanwhile, weekend reports that the Little Fighters Fund, which was set up to support the family, has raised €100,000 have been described as “grossly misleading”.

It is understood the reports have caused great distress to the family.

A source close to the family said the figure is wildly inaccurate and grossly overstated and there is nothing like that amount in the fund.

Fundraising is ongoing to help the family who face years of expensive medical bills.

The Little Fighters Fund, Permanent TSB, St Patrick’s Street, Cork Sort Code 99-07-03 A/C: 16556196.