SURGEONS OPERATE ON BABY WITH TWO HEADS

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-12986812,00.html ^

[gdyniawitawa]

SURGEONS OPERATE ON BABY WITH TWO HEADS

A team of surgeons has begun operating on a baby born with two heads.

Doctors say they believe the risky surgery is the first of its kind.

Led by an American-based neurosurgeon, the medical team plans to remove Rebeca Martinez's second head, which has a partially formed brain, ears, eyes and lips.

Eighteen surgeons, nurses and doctors will work in rotation to cut off the undeveloped tissue, clip the veins and arteries and close the skull of the 7-week-old girl using a bone graft from another part of her body.

"The head on top is growing faster than the lower one," said Dr Jorge Lazareff.

"If we don't operate, the child would barely be able to lift her head at 3 months old."

He said the pressure from the second head, attached on top of the first and facing up, would prevent Rebeca's brain from developing.

The operation is being performed at a hospital in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and is being paid for by CURE International, a US-based charity that gives medical care to disabled children in developing countries.

Last Updated: 17:11 UK, Friday February 06, 2004

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

He said the pressure from the second head, attached on top of the first and facing up, would prevent Rebeca's brain from developing.

Weird! Reminds me of Total Recall where the man had a twin growing from his abdomen.

[areafiftyone]

I saw pictures of the baby. I felt so bad for her. Poor little baby! :-(

[GigaDittos]

But doing nothing could work for a future career.

[shadowman99]

This is actually quite sad. The head that is being removed would make sucking movements with it's mouth when the baby nursed. It had a partially developed and seperate brain.

I can't help but feel that this operation is going to result in the loss of a human life. Perhaps a profoundly retarded, but an independant conscience.

I became the father of twins last year. Dana and Morgan had a joined embrionic sack, and we were warned there was a risk for siemese twins. Reading stuff like this reminds me of how glad I am they were born healthy and normal.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Yes, it's too bad, but I have no problem with this surgery even though it takes an (already nearly lost) life.

If the surgery is not done, Rebeka's life, including her physical and mental development and probably her lifespan, would be completely sacrificed. In this case, it's not worth the sacrifice of Rebeka's life, which will yet, God willing, be almost normal, to try and preserve a life that simply has no chance whatsoever to start with.

This is a far cry from abortion up to the moment of birth, done for the sake of convenience.

[OldFriend]

Prayers for the doctors to have help from the Lord.

[Jack Black]

Two heads are a staple of horror comics, aren't they. Usually the small one is the evil one that drives the big one.

[stevio]

It brings to question. What holds the soul?

[onedoug]

"What holds the soul?

God's investment in us.

[alisasny]

have you seen the photo? The humane thing to do this surgery. If it were just a cosmetic issue fine but this is so far more then that. Also if not for modern medicine all would die.

[M0sby]

Bump to your point...and prayers for all...

[presidio9]

[shadowman99]

"have you seen the photo? The humane thing to do this surgery. If it were just a cosmetic issue fine but this is so far more then that. Also if not for modern medicine all would die." I see the necessity and I'm not saying don't do the surgury. But none of the articles I read deal with the notion that a life is being lost here, and that it should be mourned.

[TheWriterInTexas]

God bless them both! What a shame. Prayers for everyone involved, including the little one who will be sacrificed so that the other might live.

What a painful decision this must have been for the family! Prayers for all!

[presidio9]

But doing nothing could work for a future career.

WTF is the matter with you? Have you no compassion sir?

[Heatseeker]

I pray for success and feel sorry for the baby and her family - but looking at the picture, I have to wonder if John Kerry has OK'd this operation. It's obviously his love-child.

[presidio9]

but looking at the picture, I have to wonder if John Kerry has OK'd this operation. It's obviously his love-child.

I'm sorry I posted it.

[tgslTakoma]

I saw pictures of the baby. I felt so bad for her. Poor little baby! :-(

It looks like she has a family that loves her - rejoice in that. Many babies aren't so lucky as she is.

[soozla]

"Led by an American-based neurosurgeon,......."

WHO says we are not the most benevolent country?????? Where ELSE in the world could this family turn for hope that their baby could find medical treatment to save and improve her life??

We have the BEST health care system in the world PRECISELY because we DON'T have socialized medicine!!