Surgeon mistakenly removes liver leading to fatal blood loss
Florida man dies after surgeon mistakenly removes liver during splenectomy
A tragic surgical error leading to blood loss claimed the life of a 70-year-old man in Florida. William Bryan, visiting his rental property with his wife, experienced sudden abdominal pain. Seeking medical help, they went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital.
Tests revealed an abnormal spleen, and General Surgeon Dr Thomas Shaknovsky, alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr Christopher Bacani, recommended surgery. Initially hesitant, Bryan agreed to undergo a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy in August.
During the operation, Dr Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen, leading to fatal blood loss. The surgeons allegedly attempted to disguise the mistake by labeling the liver as an “enlarged spleen,” a claim made by the law firm representing Bryan’s wife, Beverly.
Zarzaur Law’s Facebook post details how Dr Shaknovsky cut through major blood vessels, causing immediate hemorrhage. The surgeons misled Bryan’s family, asserting that the spleen had migrated and was severely diseased, while the actual spleen remained with a small cyst on it.
Dr Shaknovsky had faced previous scrutiny for a “wrong-site surgery” in 2023, where he erroneously removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland. In response to her husband’s death, Beverly Bryan has hired legal counsel to seek justice. She demands accountability for the doctor and insists he should no longer practice medicine. Beverly is pursuing both civil and criminal actions.
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital is investigating the incident. North Walton Doctor’s Hospital, previously associated with Dr Shaknovsky, has since cut ties with him and removed references from its website. A small cyst, initially believed to be the cause of Bryan’s pain, was later found on his spleen.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Daily Beast reports that a 70-year-old Alabama man, William Bryan, died after a surgeon at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Florida removed the wrong organ, his liver instead of his spleen. (read more)
- The Guardian reports on the shocking case of William Bryan, a 70-year-old Alabama man who died after a surgeon at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen, leading to catastrophic blood loss and immediate death. The family alleges that Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, the surgeon, had a history of surgical errors and was convinced to proceed with the operation despite the couple’s initial hesitation. The hospital is conducting an investigation into the incident. (read more)
- KXAN reports on a tragic incident where a man died after a doctor removed the wrong organ during surgery, as shared by his grieving widow. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the 70-year-old man in Florida during surgery?
He died due to a grievous surgical error where his liver was mistakenly removed instead of his spleen.
Who was the surgeon responsible for the surgical error?
The error was made by Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky during a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy.
What did the surgeons allegedly do to cover up the error?
They labeled the removed liver as an ‘enlarged spleen’ and misled the family about the spleen’s condition.
Has Dr. Shaknovsky been involved in other surgical errors before?
Yes, he was previously involved in a ‘wrong-site surgery’ incident in 2023.
What actions is Bryan’s wife taking following the incident?
She is pursuing both civil and criminal actions against the doctor and demanding he no longer practice medicine.
