Baby dies after surgery to remove second head

[TeeYiYi]

Feb. 7, 2004. 10:04 AM

Baby dies after surgery to remove second head
Operation was thought to be the first of its kind


Infant girl dies in Dominican Republic following surgery to remove second head

Eds: ADDS detail, background. CORRECTS baby is 8-weeks old, minor edits.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - An infant girl died today after surgery to remove a second head, her mother said.

A medical team completed the operation Friday evening but said 8-week-old Rebeca Martinez had been susceptible to infection or hemorrhaging. The baby died 12 hours after the surgery, believed to be the first of its kind.

More: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1076155215920&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968705899037

TYY

[Mairead]

1. Poor wean. That's sad, but perhaps best.

[jenk]

2. sad

I'm still to scared to even look at a picture of the baby. how long could it live like that anyway?

[TeeYiYi]

17. Her name was Rebeca . . .

. . . Awilda Rebeca Martinez. And she was a beautiful little girl who had a mother (Maria Gisela Hiciano), father (Franklyn Antonio Martinez), sister and brother who loved her very much. Her family will miss her desperately.

I made this picture for you jenk, so that you could see Rebeca and remember her true spirit.




TYY

[Piperay]

19. Beautiful

little baby, very sad.

[rocktivity]

3. Terribly sad

Especially since the doctors were hopeful. Well, eight other babies who had what she did never made it out of the womb alive. But I'm glad I got to care about you, Rebeca.


rocknation

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Aw, dammit...

I was hoping she's survive... :(

[roughsatori]

5. Blessings and Prayers for the family and children involved

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. poor child

I can not imagine the anguish her mom must be going through

[soleft]

7. Tough week for parents

and everyone

[qanda]

8. Oh no! I was hoping that poor baby would live.

May her little soul rest in peace.

[joeybee12]

9. I saw that and said "S**t!" I was really hoping she'd make it...

...it's just incredibly sad.

[bleedingheart]

13. she was just so young for such a major operation.

anyone who has seen a 7 week old knows what I am talking about...

I wonder if there couldn't have been another way to perhaps break up the operation into separate procedures over a longer period of time?

the poor little gal.

[SoCalDem]

20. There was probably more wrong than they thought

Lots of times anomalies come in multiples.. Once they started they probably found more things wrong than they could correct..

It would amaze you to know how tough little tiny babies are..

My oldest had surgery when he was just weeks old.. We had to wait til he reached 5 lbs. He had a huge operation (1st of 29) and came throough it fine..

This little one just was too damaged to survive.. It's very sad for her family.. It's almost harder to have high hopes, gamble and lose, than to just accept the inevitable from the start :(

[proud patriot]

10. My prayers go out to the family

How sad :-(

[bleedingheart]

11. oh my how sad

[sweetladybug]

12. I am so sorry to hear the baby didn't survive

my prayers are with her family

[Chicago Democrat]

14. Poor tortured family.

blessings of Tara be on them

Om Tara Tutare Ture Soha

[fortyfeetunder]

15. Reminds me of the two Iranian women

Brain separation surgery for conjoined twins is one of the most delicate and risky operation. I feel bad for the family for losing this little angel...

[PatGund]

16. Poor wee lass.....

May that which is above us all guide, shelter, and protect you.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PsychoDad]

21. May God make it easy for them..

My prayers join yours for them. May they feel the love and presence of the most mercyful.