Rare condition may be cause of West Boca High cheerleader's death after breast surgery

[Mugu]

By SUSAN R. MILLER, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

tephanie Kuleba's motto on her MySpace page was "live your life." But hers was cut tragically short after something went terribly wrong Friday in a doctor's office where she was undergoing breast surgery. The West Boca High School cheerleader, 18, died Saturday from complications during surgery to correct asymmetrical breasts and inverted nipples, after being rushed to Delray Medical Center Friday morning.

According to her family's attorney, a rare and silent condition called malignant hyperthermia could have killed the popular teen, who was looking forward to her senior prom and heading to the University of Florida.

The condition is triggered by anesthesia. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, muscles that become rigid, and a fever of 110 degrees or higher. The condition is reversible if recognized and acted upon - usually within 30 minutes of onset - with Dantrolene, the only known antidote, said Dr. Henry Rosenberg, president of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association, whose organization fielded a call to its hot line about Kuleba's case.

Although he could not talk specifically about Kuleba, Rosenberg said the association generally helps callers assess the situation, see what's been done, and answer any questions.


Complete article at:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/south/epaper/2008/03/26/m1a_cheerleader_main_0326.html?imw=Y

[bluestateguy]

1. I'm wondering why an 18 year old felt the need to get a breast enhancement

She was a legal adult, but still I wonder why she felt that was necessary, unless she was a model or an actress. Did her parents pay for this procedure?

[drmeow]

2. It didn't say she was getting enhancements n/t

[alittlelark]

3. She was... many past DU threads on the topic.......

I hate to sound like a bitch.....but....uh....WHY does this story deserve any DU merit?

[lapfog_1]

4. According to an article I saw

she was having surgery to correct asymmetric breasts and something called inverted nipples...

still, it's cosmetic surgery, not required... but I can imagine that she wanted to look more like her friends.

This does point out something... all operations carry a risk, I think had she been in a hospital, she might survived this. It's too bad... I feel for her family and friends.

[China_cat]

5. Probably for the same reason my niece did at 17

Asymetrical breasts and inverted nipples means she was probably a 'one tit wonder'. That was the same diagnosis my niece got. When she developed, only one breast grew. She wore a mastectomy form until she was old enough to have the surgery. Imagine what that's like for a teenage girl who has to dress out for PE, wanted to be on the swim team, etc.

Her surgeon also implanted a small 'lift' in the breast that grew due to the few years of gravity on it and it would have looked strange otherwise.

[fed-up]

6. don't docs have computers? - "The condition is reversible if recognized and acted upon" nt