Doctor at the centre of a coronial inquest into the death of teenager Lucas Thomas Raso gives evidence
On day two of the coronial inquest, Dr. Paul Bilokopytov gave evidence that this type of appendicitis was one of rarest forms and he had never seen this type of presentation before.
Newcastle
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The doctor at the centre of a coronial inquest into the death of a 13-year-old boy due to misdiagnosis told the court he thinks about the boy’s death every day.
Luca Thomas Raso, 13, died after he developed gangrenous peritonitis and suffered from a perforated appendix in February 2017.
He was misdiagnosed by Port Stephens GP, Dr. Pavlo (Paul) Bilokopytov as having viral gastroenteritis.
On Monday, the NSW Coroner begun a four day inquest at Newcastle into the manner and cause of death of the Port Stephens teenager, after seeking treatment in the week leading up to his death.
On Tuesday, day two of the inquest, Dr. Bilokopytov gave evidence that this type of appendicitis was one of rarest forms and he had never seen this type of presentation before.
He told the court he ruled out appendicitis because there was no history of pain, despite Luca’s mother and sister giving evidence on day one, that they had clearly told the doctor he was suffering tummy soreness.
“I always had appendicitis in the back of my mind, but on the second consultation his presentation changed slightly and to my view it was viral gastroenteritis,” Dr. Bilokopytov said.
“From my recollection there was no mention of general or localised pain, so I excluded appendicitis.
“I was looking for signs of appendicitis on both consultations. If I suspected appendicitis, I would have sent for bloods and ultrasound.”
Upon taking the stand at the inquest, Dr. Bilokopytov paid his condolences to the family saying it was a tragedy and was very sorry for their loss.
He said after he found out about Luca’s death, he tried to call mum Michelle Degenhardt and the hospital because it was a huge shock.
“I tried to find out how she was and left message to say if she wanted to discuss,” he added.
“It came as a shock to me and he didn’t have any symptoms of appendicitis.
“Since then I have been thinking about his death every day.”
On day one, the court heard Luca’s mum had taken her son to the doctors on Wednesday after two days of feeling unwell, vomiting and diarrhoea.
After his condition continued to worsen, Luca’s sister then took him again to see the doctor on Friday, but while he was reported as feeling marginally better over the weekend, on Monday things esculated before he collapsed and stopped breathing.
Luca’s brother started CPR, before paramedics arrived and he was taken to Tomaree hospital, but tragically couldn’t be saved and died.
Counsel assisting the Coroner Ragni Marthur questioned Dr. Bilokopytov asking him if he informed Luca’s mother that viral gastroenteritis could last up to 10 days. He replied yes.
When asked whether Luca had told him his stomach hurt everywhere, as stated by his mother and sister, he replied, “No, otherwise I would be sending him to hospital. I would be suspicious and investigating further.”
In relation to the second consultation on the Friday, Ms Marthur asked whether he was concerned Luca was there two days earlier and presented lying down while waiting to be seen.
“It was not concerning but I had to assess,” Dr. Bilokopytov said.
Despite reports from Luca’s sister, Dr. Bilokopytov said he did take Luca’s temperature and pulse and recorded no abdominal pain.
Also questioned by Richard O’Keefe of Maurice Blackburn on behalf of the family, he was asked whether any other tests were included to discount a diagnosis of appendicitis, to which he replied no.
“Do you agree it was a severe case?” Mr O’Keefe said.
Mr Bilokopytov replied no and Mr O’Keefe answered, “How can you say that when he was vomiting and with diarrhea. This was a lethal diagnosis”
The inquest continues tomorrow.