A PAIR of twins who were conjoined at the head have been separated after a life-changing 20-hour surgery.

Little Anias and Jadon McDonald, 13 months, will be able to see each other front-on for the first time after the incredible operation.

Their surgeon, Dr James Goodrich, says it is remarkable the twins have made it this far – as the survival rate is so challenging for conjoined twins.

Only 5-25 per cent of conjoined twins survive birth and around 40 per cent are stillborn – but the brave little boys have now made it through their second hurdle.

The surgery came with complications and the veteran neurosurgeon thought about stopping the lengthy operation half-way through.

Dr Goodrich found the boys shared a lot more brain tissue than he had expected – despite using 3D imaging to prepare for the operation.

Anias’ heart rate and blood pressure dropped with every cut and the surgeon very nearly called off the separation.

The surgeon found an opening and separated the two boys – but the complication meant Anias was still in surgery late on Friday morning, while his brother was taken out at 7am.

Little Anias was finally returned to his family at 1pm, but doctors warned he could face significant physical challenges.

Mum Nicole, who sat in the waiting room the whole time with dad Christian, updated thousands of people on Facebook who had been following the family’s story as the surgery took place.

More than $220,000 was raised for the boys’ life-changing surgery, which they travelled to the Bronx from Chicago for.

The extremely rare operation cost a total of $2.5 million.

After Jadon was taken out of surgery, the mum shared a photo of her tiny son in his hospital bed.

She said: “When they told me they were wheeling Jadon up first, it took me a second to comprehend.

“I actually asked why they rearranged the room because I hadn’t really internalised the idea there would be two beds in here.”

Two hours later she updated followers: “They had to reopen Anias’ incision. He’s still in surgery.

“No idea how much longer it will be. My heart aches for him all alone down there without his brother. Such an uncertain time to be alone.”

Four hours later, Nicole shared a photo of tiny Anias recovering in his hospital bed and then a second showing both boys.

She wrote: “Finally reunited. How surreal. I now realise I always saw you as separate because seeing you like this is really nothing different to me.

“When I stand at your bedside, Jadon, it’s almost as if Anias is still there. Anias, when I leaned over you I protected my hair from Jadon.

“But the view is still the same. This is how I always saw you. I love you so much.”

She went on: “Now it’s time to step forward into the new chapter of our life. I’m ready to fight and I know you are too.

“Thank you, Dr Goodrich, Dr Tepper, Kamilah, Martine, Dr Kahana, Dr Mann and everyone else at Montefiore. Your hands performed a miracle today. We love you.”

Nicole later explained: “It’s a bit surreal to sit here and type this…I should feel so happy…TWO SEPARATE BABIES!!!…and yet I ache with the uncertainty of the future.

“I didn’t cry until the surgeon’s left the room. I was barely able to even utter the words “thank you” because of the uncertainty that still sits heavy in my stomach. We are standing on the brink of a vast unknown.”

Despite seeing their boys as perfect, Nicole and Christian decided to have the operation as doctors believed there was an 80 per cent chance the boys would not survive beyond the age of two if they remained conjoined.

She went on: “Now it’s time to step forward into the new chapter of our life. I’m ready to fight and I know you are too.

“Thank you, Dr Goodrich, Dr Tepper, Kamilah, Martine, Dr Kahana, Dr Mann and everyone else at Montefiore. Your hands performed a miracle today. We love you.”

Nicole later explained: “It’s a bit surreal to sit here and type this…I should feel so happy…TWO SEPARATE BABIES!!!…and yet I ache with the uncertainty of the future.

“I didn’t cry until the surgeon’s left the room. I was barely able to even utter the words “thank you” because of the uncertainty that still sits heavy in my stomach. We are standing on the brink of a vast unknown.”

Despite seeing their boys as perfect, Nicole and Christian decided to have the operation as doctors believed there was an 80 per cent chance the boys would not survive beyond the age of two if they remained conjoined.