Alabama Man Dies After Florida Surgeon Mistakenly Removes Liver Instead of Spleen
In a deeply tragic incident, a 70-year-old Alabama man, William Bryan, lost his life after a surgical mishap in Florida, where a doctor mistakenly removed his liver during a procedure meant for his spleen. William Bryan, along with his wife, Beverly, was visiting their rental property in Florida when he began experiencing severe pain in his left side. He was quickly admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a potential spleen abnormality, recommending immediate surgery.
Although the Bryans were initially hesitant to undergo the procedure in Florida, they were reportedly persuaded by medical staff, who warned of potential complications if the surgery was delayed. On August 21, 2024, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a surgeon at the hospital, performed a laparoscopic splenectomy on Bryan. However, according to allegations from the family's lawyer, during the operation, the doctor mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen. The liver's removal caused massive blood loss, leading to Bryan's immediate and catastrophic death.
Also Read:- How to Watch Yankees vs. Texas Rangers on Amazon Prime Tonight
- Sinner Faces Medvedev in US Open 2024 Quarterfinal Showdown
What makes this situation even more alarming is the fact that Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly labeled the liver he removed as the spleen, only for the tragic error to be discovered later. Following the surgery, Shaknovsky allegedly told Bryan’s wife that the “spleen” was diseased, four times its normal size, and had shifted to the wrong side of the body. However, it was revealed later that Bryan’s spleen was still intact, with only a small cyst on its surface, and that his liver had been removed by mistake.
This isn’t the first time Dr. Shaknovsky has faced allegations of surgical mistakes. A prior case from 2023 surfaced, where he reportedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing an adrenal gland resection. Despite the settlement of that case, he continued practicing, leading to the devastating loss of William Bryan’s life.
Beverly Bryan, seeking justice for her late husband, has called for both criminal and civil proceedings against Dr. Shaknovsky. Her hope is that no other family has to endure such heartbreak. As of now, Dr. Shaknovsky has not faced criminal charges, and the hospital is conducting an internal investigation. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital expressed their condolences to the Bryan family and emphasized that patient safety remains their top priority, though they have not commented directly on the specifics of the case due to ongoing litigation.
This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about medical errors and the processes in place to prevent such fatal mistakes from occurring. William Bryan’s family now seeks accountability, so no one else suffers a similar fate at the hands of the same surgeon.
Read More:
0 Comments