Inquest into death of Lucas PEYRET

21y · Male·Hypoxic brain injury arising from severe anaphylactic shock due to administration of Sugammadex following laparoscopic appendicectomy

Lucas Peyret, a 21-year-old with no significant medical history, presented to hospital with acute appendicitis and underwent emergency laparoscopic appendicectomy. Surgery was routine and uneventful. Upon emergence from anaesthesia, after administration of Sugammadex (neuromuscular reversal agent), Lucas developed severe anaphylactic shock with bronchospasm, wheeze, desaturation and rapid loss of consciousness. Cardiac arrest ensued and required 23 minutes of CPR with appropriate advanced life support protocol adherence. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved but prolonged hypoxia caused irreversible global cortical ischaemia and brainstem death. The coroner found no fault with surgical decision-making, anaesthetic conduct, or resuscitation management. Sugammadex anaphylaxis, though rare (2 per 100,000 incidence), remains an important safety consideration in anaesthetic practice.