China's first conjoined surgery survivor, who underwent the rare operation 19 years ago, is set to join university for higher studies bringing cheer to his doctors.
"Many thanks to all of you who gave me a second life," said 19-year-old Gu Qiao with a deep bow to the doctors of Xinqiao Hospital in Chongqing.
In 1996, conjoined babies Gu Xin and Gu Qiao were successfully separated after an operation that had never been successful across China until that year, state-run People's Daily reported today, citing the Chongqing Morning Post.
The twins, both boys, were born in Dazhu county, Daozhou city of Sichuan province. They were later sent to Xin Qiao hospital where they underwent the surgery, which was rare then.
The twin brothers were successfully separated after more than 10 hours of efforts but unfortunately, Gu Xin died one month after the operation due to heart malformation while Gu Qiao survived.
Visiting the hospital nearly 20 years later only goes on to show that the boy is hale and hearty. He took part in Gaokao, the national entrance exam, this year and scored well following which he has been admitted by a university with a good score.
He visited the hospital on Monday and sincerely expressed his gratitude to all the medical workers who helped him, the report said.
"There was no successful separation operation on such rare conjoined twins before that time in China," former head of the hospital Wang Weidong was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
"But the boys could have died any minute if we hadn't performed the operation. I decided to take the chance to save their lives," he said.
