Dr Thomas Shaknovsky Removes Liver: In a shocking case of medical malpractice, William “Bill” Bryan, a 70-year-old Alabama man, lost his life during a routine surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida. The incident occurred when Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a general surgeon, mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen, leading to catastrophic blood loss that resulted in his death.

The Fateful Decision

Bill Bryan and his wife, Beverly, were vacationing at their condo in Destin, Florida, when Bill began experiencing pain in his left side. Concerned, they sought medical attention at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, where doctors suspected an issue with his spleen. Despite their initial inclination to return to their home in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, for treatment, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky and the hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, convinced them to stay in Florida for the surgery, citing the risks of moving him.

“It’s one of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice that I’ve ever been involved with,” said the Bryan family’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, during an online press conference. “The doctors insisted that it was too dangerous to move him, warning that his spleen could rupture at any moment.”

The Surgery That Went Horribly Wrong

On August 21, 2024, Dr. Shaknovsky performed what was supposed to be a routine hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy. However, instead of removing Bryan’s spleen, Shaknovsky mistakenly removed his liver. The procedure caused immediate and catastrophic blood loss, leading to Bryan’s death on the operating table.

To add to the tragedy, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly did not realize his mistake during the surgery. He labeled the removed organ as the spleen and informed Beverly Bryan that the spleen had been severely diseased, even claiming that it had “migrated” to the opposite side of the abdominal cavity. It wasn’t until a pathologist examined the tissue post-surgery that the organ was identified as the liver.

A Heartbreaking Loss

Beverly Bryan, herself a nurse, is devastated by her husband’s untimely death, which occurred just two days before their wedding anniversary. She recalls how she was initially inclined to return home for the surgery but was persuaded to stay due to the risks emphasized by the doctors. “He bled to death in the operating room because of their mistake,” she said tearfully during the press conference.

“Our family and community are devastated by what’s happened, and we feel it is our duty to spread awareness and warn others,” Beverly added.

A Pattern of Negligence?

As Zarzaur’s legal team investigated the incident, they discovered that this was not the first time Dr. Shaknovsky had made a grave surgical error. In 2023, he mistakenly removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection. That case was settled confidentially, and Shaknovsky continued practicing at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital.

Given the severity of these repeated errors, Zarzaur expressed grave concern that Dr. Shaknovsky was still treating patients and had access to operating rooms. “I don’t think he should be practicing medicine,” Zarzaur said.

Seeking Justice

While a medical malpractice lawsuit has not yet been filed due to Florida’s legal requirements for a pre-suit period, Beverly Bryan is determined to see both civil and criminal charges brought against those responsible for her husband’s death. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office, is currently investigating the case to determine if criminal charges, such as culpable negligence, should be filed.

In a statement, a representative from Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital said, “We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event. Patient safety is and remains our number one priority.”

A Devastated Family Left Behind

Bill Bryan was more than just a patient; he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a dedicated Alabama football fan. Beverly Bryan mourns the loss of her husband and the future moments they will never share, including watching their grandson play football in his senior year of high school.

“He was a retired boilermaker who worked hard all his life to afford a small condo at the beach,” Beverly said. “He was the finest man you’d ever want to meet—honest, dependable, and generous. His loss was not just unnecessary; it was brutal.”

As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, Beverly Bryan and her family are left grappling with the senseless loss of a man who was taken from them far too soon. Their hope is that justice will be served and that no other family will have to endure the same tragedy.

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