Care Timeline

August 2, 2005
Regina and Renata Salinas Fierros are born at LAC+USC Medical Center.  They are joined at the mid-abdomen and pelvis, facing one another, a type of conjoined twins known as "Ischiopagus Tetrapus." ("Ischio is a Greek word for "hip,"  "pagus" for "fixed" or "united," and "tetrapus" means "fetus with four feet."  Ischiopagus twins are among the rarest and most complex to separate because they involve many organ systems - liver, intestine, urinary, reproductive, vascular and musculo-skeletal systems.

August 3, 2005
Regina and Renata are transferred to the Center for Newborn and Infant Critical Care at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for evaluation and treatment. 

September 2005 through June 2006
Regina and Renata are seen regularly at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, undergoing various diagnostic procedures, a reversible colostomy and the insertion of  "tissue expanders" to gain additional skin and soft tissue to close the open wounds after the separation surgery.

May 24, 2006
Regina and Renata have their final pre-surgical imaging studies.

May 31, 2006
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles surgeons hold the final consent conference with the parents.

June 13, 2006
Regina and Renata are admitted to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for the separation surgery.

June 14, 2006
A team of nearly 80 general, orthopaedic and plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses, as well as other caregivers and specialists begin the separation surgery at 6 a.m. The actual separation takes place at 6:21 p.m.

June 15, 2006
Following an additional eight hours of orthopaedic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Regina is taken to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at 2:47 a.m. Renata follows at 3:58 a.m. The twins are listed in "serious" condition, with stable vital signs.

June 22, 2006
Regina and Renata remain in "serious" condition, with stable vital signs, in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

July 10, 2006
Regina remains in "serious" condition, with stable vital signs, in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit  (PICU). Renata is upgraded to "fair" condition, with stable vital signs, and is transferred out of the PICU, but remains in the hospital’s care.

July 17, 2006
Regina is transferred out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and upgraded from "serious" to "fair" condition; Renata continues in "fair" condition. Both girls continue in the hospital’s care.

July 26, 2006
Regina is discharged from the hospital into her parents' care.

August 3, 2006
Renata is discharged from the hospital into her parents' care.