Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:33:24 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mid-SouthMore >>
Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:26 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:26:35 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies gears up for another game against the Spurs. Teachers and staff at Lausanne CollegiateMore >>
Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies get ready for another game against the Spurs.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:59 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:59:43 GMT
(WMC-TV) - When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch. A young Joe Birch stepped into the ActionMore >>
When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:51:42 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night. According to officials, three people were stabbed at 25 Kelly Cove off of Tracy Road. TheMore >>
Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night.More >>
MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV/AP) - Doctors said practice was the key to successfully separating conjoined twins at Memphis' Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.
For the anesthesia team, that included sewing together two Cabbage Patch dolls to practice flipping them without tangling the various lines that would be attached during surgery.
Joshua and Jacob Spates were joined back to back at the pelvis and lower spine, each with separate hearts, heads and limbs.
They were separated on Aug. 29, but the successful surgery was not announced until Tuesday. On Wednesday, doctors involved in the procedure spoke to reporters about the challenges, which included avoiding injury to the spine that could leave them paraplegic.
The day was emotional for the twins' mother, Adrienne Spates.
"I'm glad that everyone gets to see my baby and view them as separate people, because they are, and they have their own personalities," she said.
Dr. Max Langham, the leader of the surgery team that separated the twins, said only 15 percent of conjoined twins are attached at the lower spine and pelvis.
"We're not aware of a case in the United States in the last 10 years of this defect," Langham said. "There was one about 10 years ago on Saudi Arabia."
The twins still face a long road to recovery. Doctors said the boys have health problems that will require ongoing treatment, but they hope both will be able to walk with braces.
"Jacob has got a hill to climb yet with his heart operation and other problems," Langham said. "Joshua seems like a normal baby. He's ready to go off to the races."
An experienced doctor explained to Action News 5 on Tuesday how difficult the surgery to separate the twins likely was.
"They had to carefully separate the common areas of the spine and the pelvis," said Dr. Roy Bors-Koefoed.
Bors-Koefed did not participate in the surgery but specializes in high-risk obstetrics at Mid-South Maternal Fetal Medicine.
He knows how rarely conjoined twins survive post surgery.
"How many organs are in common and what organs are in common will depend on whether they can be separated successfully where you can save both individuals," said Bors-Koefoed.
LeBonheur released an MRI scan of the twins pre-surgery on Tuesday. Bors-Koefoed said the twins definitely beat the odds because they were conjoined and because they are boys.
"It seems there are more male conjoined twins that are conceived," he said. "But female conjoined twins survive much better than males."
He said it is possible the twins will live relatively normal lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:51:42 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night. According to officials, three people were stabbed at 25 Kelly Cove off of Tracy Road. TheMore >>
Two people were airlifted to The MED after a stabbing near the Tipton/Shelby County line Monday night.More >>
LAWRENCE COUNTY, AR (KAIT) - Lawrence County Sheriff Jody Dotson has confirmed the body of a young female has been found in the Black River near the Lawrence/Randolph County line. We have a crew onMore >>
Lawrence County Sheriff Jody Dotson confirms the body of a young woman found in the Black River near the Lawrence and Randolph County lines Saturday evening is that of Sidney Randall.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:33:24 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mid-SouthMore >>
Most people associate the word strep with strep throat. But imagine a strain of strep with side effects so shocking and dangerous that it leads to obsessive compulsive disorder.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:26 AM EDT2013-05-21 05:26:35 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies gears up for another game against the Spurs. Teachers and staff at Lausanne CollegiateMore >>
Students at a Memphis high school are celebrating the success of one of their own as the Memphis Grizzlies get ready for another game against the Spurs.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:46 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:46:07 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Tennessee Task Force One, based out of Memphis, is activated to respond to Oklahoma. Sponsored by the Memphis and Shelby County emergency management agency, TNTF-1 is scheduled for deploymentMore >>
Tennessee Task Force One, based out of Memphis, was activated to respond to Oklahoma Monday night.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 7:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:31:04 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Parents and students are reacting to the dress code policy for Shelby County Schools. If your child goes to a former school within Memphis City Schools, they will continue to wear uniforms. ShelbyMore >>
Parents and students are reacting to the dress code policy for Shelby County Schools.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:10:06 GMT
(WMC-TV) - Arlington High School senior Taylor Flake thought she was making history when her classmates elected her to be the school's first African-American class president. "It's more than just me representingMore >>
Arlington High School senior Taylor Flake thought she was making history when her classmates elected her to be the school's first African-American class president.
So when the school started planning for the commencement, Flake said she was shocked to find out that she was not among those chosen to speak.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:01 AM EDT2013-05-21 06:01:07 GMT
(RNN) – A day after long track tornadoes devastated Shawnee and Edmond, OK, another round has begun near Oklahoma City.KOCO broadcast a slow rotating cloud that slowly extended down towards the groundMore >>
At least 51 have died in a storm the National Weather Service described as large and violent.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:59 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:59:43 GMT
(WMC-TV) - When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch. A young Joe Birch stepped into the ActionMore >>
When many Memphians think of the Bluff City they think of Elvis, barbecue, and now the Grizzlies – but many also think of Action News 5's Joe Birch.More >>
Monday, May 20 2013 6:50 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:50:01 GMT
(WMC-TV) Two people are dead and two others are wounded after a shooting at 2323 Ketchum Road, according to police.Three victims were transported to The MED by ambulance, and one other by private vehicle.TwoMore >>
Two people are dead and two others are wounded after a shooting at 2323 Ketchum Road, according to police.More >>
An MRI image of the twins before they were separated. (Source: Le Bonheur)
The babies with their mother. (Source: Le Bonheur)
An image of the twins released by the hospital. (Source: Le Bonheur)
