A tragic twin joined to her sister at the chest and hip has died eight days after an operation to separate the pair.

Little 18-months-old Kiraz and Aruna had been separated during a complicated operation involving 60 medical experts in Goiania, in the state of Goias, Brazil, on 10th May.

Now medics at the city's State Hospital for Children and Adolescents have revealed that Kiraz was declared brain dead on 18th May.

Her sister Aruna remains in the hospital's intensive care unit and is said to in a "critical but stable" condition.

The sisters had been born fused at the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis and shared multiple vital organs and three legs.

Both suffered from a high fever following the marathon procedure.

Lead surgeon Dr Zacharias Calil told local media: "The separation surgery was one of the most complex ever attempted in Brazil.

"And while we hoped for the best outcome, we knew the risks were significant."

A team of 16 surgeons worked in rotating shifts during the operation, supported by dozens of specialist nurses, paediatric experts, radiologists and technicians.

The procedure cost BRL 2 million (GBP 310,000) paid for by Brazil's public health system.

Preparation for the surgery began months earlier when the operating theatre was upgraded with advanced medical equipment to maximise the twins' chances of survival.

Skin expanders had been inserted six months before the procedure to provide enough tissue for post-surgical reconstruction.

The girls also underwent frequent hospital visits for growth monitoring and vaccination schedules in the weeks leading up to the surgery.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)