Shanghai doctors in 24hr surgery to separate twins

Doctors in China were today racing to save the lives of 10-month-old conjoined twin girls in a complex separation surgery expected to take up to 24 hours.

The girls, Hu Jingxuan and Hu Jingni, were born last August joined at the abdomen. They share a liver, spleen, gall bladder and digestive tract.

Hospital officials in Shanghai confirmed reports that the surgery was under way, but would not provide any details.