This Day In Science Sept. 17, 1953 – Conjoined Twins Separated Successfully
Carolyn and Catherine Mouton were born as conjoined twins on July 22, 1953 in Lafayette, Louisiana. They were joined at the base of their spine and shared a common lower intestinal tract. Their lower vertebrae and sacrum were fused.
On September 17th, 1953 a team of eight surgeons performed the operation to separate the girls. Both girls went on to have healthy full lives. They were the first pair of modern day conjoined twins separated successfully.
Conjoined twins are a result of a fertilized egg (zygote) either not fully separating in two or fusing back after separation.
The most famous conjoined twins, Chang and Eng Bunker were born in 1815 in Siam (now Thailand). They were named the “Siamese twins”, and were exhibited as a curiosity in a circus. If they were born today, they could easily be separated as they were joined at the sternum by a band of cartilage.
I knew them. My cousin married Carolyn
Carol is seemingly still alive and well, I spot her walking for exercise within the last year or two while I have remodeled a couple houses where she must be living, still in Lafayette. Sidenote, I recognized her bc she was a teacher of mine at Acadiana h.s.
I recall this incident very well, as I worked in Lafayette, LA and lived in the neighboring town of St. Martinville, LA. Just wondered where they were today as it made big news at the time.
Unfortunately one of them committed suicide. I was in a sorority with them in college and they were very popular. The suicide happened years later, after college.
Yes unfortunately Catherine took her own life. Just got in her car one day on her way to USL College and put a gun to her head. She was such a beautiful girl, always full of energy, always laughing and joking around. Katherine and I used to date when I was a musician at Toby’s Oak Grove Restaurant at Four Corners Lafayette. I will never forget her. Very sad, Marcel😢