Doctors in Peru Say First Surgery Successful on Peruvian Toddler With Fused Legs

Doctors in Peru say they have successfully separated a 13-month old Peruvian girl's legs which had been fused together from her thighs to her ankles.

Dr. Luis Rubio told reporters Wednesday in Lima that the four-hour procedure gave toddler Milagros Cerron mobility in her knee joints.

Dr. Rubio led the surgical team.

Milagros was born with a rare condition known as sirenomelia, or "mermaid syndrome."

The doctors say frequent urinary infections slowed the girl's progress ahead of surgery. She will need more surgery to repair problems in several of her organs.

Reuters News Agency reports that the Mayor of Lima is Milagros' godfather and the city is covering the costs of her treatment.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.