Twins conjoined in the skulls/brains have been successfully separated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after a laborious 33 hours of operations.
The surgeons spent months trialling techniques using virtual reality before beginning the real procedures on the three-year-old boys.
Bernardo and Arthur Lima underwent several surgeries under the direction of UK-based paediatric surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani from Londonโs Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Mr Jeelani described the operation as a โremarkable achievementโ by medics, but added the charity, Gemini Untwined, relies on public donations to keep its work going.
He said: โThe successful separation of Bernardo and Arthur is a remarkable achievement by the team in Rio and a fantastic example of why the work of Gemini Untwined is so valuable.
Not only have we provided a new future for the boys and their family, we have equipped the local team with the capabilities and confidence to undertake such complex work successfully again in the future.
โIt is through this process of teamwork and knowledge-sharing globally that we can hope to improve the outcome for all children and families that find themselves in this difficult position.
โThis is only possible through generous donations from members of the public.โ
Gabriel Mufarrej said the hospital where he works had been caring for the boys for two and a half years, and their surgery will be โlife-changingโ.
He said: โSince the parents of the boys came from their home in the Roraima region to Rio to seek our help two and a half years ago, they had become part of our family here in the hospital.
โWe are delighted that the surgery went so well and the boys and their family have had such a life-changing outcome.โ