A complaint has been filed with the Medical Boards of Cosenza and Benevento, highlighting the alleged failure to inform the parents of the negative outcome of the heart transplant.
The announcement was made by Francesco Petruzzi, lawyer representing the family of Domenico Caliendo, the two-year-old boy who died on February 21st after a heart transplant.
"We have filed a complaint against Dr. Oppido and Dr. Farina," the lawyer explains, "concerning the failure to communicate the negative transplant outcome to the patients."
According to Petruzzi, regardless of the criminal investigation's developments, the disciplinary issue is already clear: "We expect the Bar Councils and the National Council, including President Anelli, to take a position. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the fact that parents were not notified is, I believe, a fairly certain fact and should be subject to disciplinary action."
The funeral at the Cathedral of Nola
The announcement of the complaint comes as little Domenico's funeral is scheduled for 3:00 PM outside Nola Cathedral. It will be a day of grief for the family and the entire community, still reeling from the child's death.
The transplant at Monaldi and the issues of the investigation
Domenico had undergone surgery at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples, where he underwent a heart transplant with an organ believed to be damaged.
"We are happy that no heart damage was found during the removal process," the lawyer added, "because that would have been a further blow to Domenico's body."
However, the possible presence of lesions that are more difficult to identify remains to be clarified from a technical-scientific perspective.
Microscopic examinations and the evidentiary incident
According to the lawyer, the analysis of the pathologists appointed as part of the preliminary investigation will now be decisive.
"We will need to evaluate microscopically the frostbite lesions and any damage to the organ resulting from congestion during the removal phase, the notorious enlargement of the heart that could have damaged the internal chambers," explains Petruzzi.
Technical tests on the tissues, through microscopic examination, will be essential to determine whether there was any trauma or alteration consistent with the hypotheses being examined by investigators. Only after these tests can any liability be determined.
It seems very serious to me, but there isn't enough information; the report to the councils and the funeral at the cathedral show pain and confusion, the doctors weren't clear and didn't communicate the negative results to the parents, the microscopic tests should clarify everything, we hope that the responsibilities will be ascertained soon.