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Twin girls were born at Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital last April after undergoing ground-breaking surgery to save their lives while they were still in their mother’s womb.

Lauren and Sophie Greene were born by caesarean section at 34 weeks on April 7. The babies were diagnosed as having Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) 21 weeks into their mother’s pregnancy.

TTTS occurs when abnormal blood vessels in the placenta transfuse too much blood into one baby and not enough to the other. If untreated, the condition leads to the death of both babies.

Professor Fergal Malone, consultant obstetrician at the Rotunda Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, operated on the twins in the womb last January.

The pioneering surgery involves inserting a camera less than one-eighth of an inch thick and other tiny surgical instruments into the womb, identifying the abnormal blood vessels and using laser therapy to fix them.

“About one third of all twin pregnancies are identical, and up to one quarter of these identical twins can develop Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome,” according to Professor Malone

“When one considers that up to recently survival for these babies was so poor, it is gratifying to see the Irish health service investing in new technology that provides such an immediately apparent benefit to our patients,” he said.

The twins’ mother Fidelma said the girls are thriving.

“My husband and I are absolutely delighted that this story has had such a happy ending. We would like to thank all the staff in the Rotunda for their excellent care and professionalism,” she said.