Conjoined twins out into a new world

The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne yesterday farewelled their two star patients, Trishna and Krishna, as they left five weeks after being surgically separated.

The formerly conjoined twins were separated at the hospital by New Zealander Andrew Greensmith and other surgeons last month during 32 hours of surgery.

Dr Greensmith said that because the girls' development had been held back, they were unlikely to remember being joined together.

The twins, formerly from a Bangladesh orphanage, were discharged from the hospital in time to celebrate their third birthday today.

Staff from the hospital's Neuroscience Centre bade the pair farewell, as they were pushed in separate strollers by guardian Moira Kelly and carer Maria Mardi.

"We are absolutely delighted with their progress," neurosurgeon Wirginia Maixner said. "I look forward to seeing them live a long and happy life - that's my wish for them."

Trishna and Krishna had made "amazing progress" since the operation to separate their skulls.

Both had been using walkers to get around the hospital corridors.

The girls will continue to receive care as outpatients at the Royal Children's Hospital.

Ms Kelly said she had thought the day of the girls' discharge would never come.

"I'm so grateful to all the staff at the Royal Children's Hospital," she said.

"They have given these two little girls a new life. I can't wait to take them home."

- AAP