Singing after surgery

A former Hamilton woman was one of the key players in the world-leading surgery that separated conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna in Melbourne this week.

Neurosurgeon Alison Wray, a former Hillcrest High School dux, is delighted to have been part of medical history.

"But what is even more exciting was going into work this morning (yesterday) and hearing Trishna singing The Wiggles songs – it was unbelievable," Ms Wray said.

So far the young Bangladeshi orphan girls are reported to be in remarkably good condition after their 26-hour plus ordeal.

At 8.30am on Monday, Ms Wray and director of neurosurgery Virginia Maixner began the painstaking process of separating the twins at Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital.

"We spent the first couple of hours checking positioning of the girls and looking at pressure areas, then we began the separation process at 10.30," Ms Wray said. "It did take longer than expected but that's classic neurosurgery – it's slow careful work."

With only short "cuppa tea and bathroom breaks", Ms Wray and Ms Maixner continued the intricate process oblivious to the fact that the world was watching and waiting for news of the historic separation.

Finally at 11am on Tuesday, 26 1/2 hours after entering theatre, the surgeons emerged.

"We knew there was interest in the case but I honestly had no idea that all eyes were on us," Ms Wray said.

Despite successfully separating the twins, Ms Wray and the entire team were aware the following days were crucial.

"But when I went into work (Thursday morning) Trishna was wide awake and doing the whole Wiggles thing," Ms Wray said, laughing.

Last night the team were waiting patiently for Krishna to wake from her induced coma.

"Krishna had more change and more adjustment to make so we needed to keep her under for longer," Ms Wray explained.

Despite showing good signs of recovery, Ms Wray said Trishna was slightly anxious not knowing why her sister was no longer at her side.

"But Krishna is in a cot right next to Trishna and their caregiver Moira (Kelly) never leaves their side."

Ms Wray is in no doubt that Ms Kelly is the maternal figure in the twins' lives. Ms Kelly rescued the girls from an orphanage, in Bangladesh, where they were left soon after their birth.

"As far as I am concerned Moira is the girls' mother. She is the one that has given them a chance in life."

Ms Wray has lived in Melbourne with her husband, former Tauranga scientist Chris Williams, for eight years.

"I still call New Zealand home but I'm not sure if I will be back to live anytime soon," she said.

The 41-year-old was a former dux of Hillcrest High School in Hamilton before studying medicine at Auckland University.

"At the time I was the only female in neurosurgery in Auckland but we had fantastic female role models in Australia." It was that which lured Ms Wray across the Tasman to complete her neurosurgical training.

"I had a brief, four-month stint in Paris where I completed a Fellowship but when I returned to Melbourne I was offered a specialist position which was perfect for me. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but that's the beauty of neurosurgery – you just never know what you will face tomorrow."

- © Fairfax NZ News