Florida Surgeon Liver Spleen: A devastating surgical mishap has unfolded in Florida, where a surgeon allegedly removed the wrong organ from a patient, leading to fatal consequences. William Bryan, a 70-year-old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, lost his life during a procedure at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital on August 21, as reported by Zarzaur Law, the law firm representing his widow, Beverly Bryan.
The Surgical Mistake
According to the news release from Zarzaur Law, William Bryan had been experiencing “left-sided flank pain” while visiting Florida. Concerned about his condition, he was admitted to the hospital, where doctors suggested he undergo surgery to remove his spleen due to fears of potential complications. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, the surgeon in charge, proceeded with the operation, but in a shocking turn of events, he removed Bryan’s liver instead of the spleen.
The law firm alleges that during the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky transected the major blood vessels supplying the liver, leading to immediate and catastrophic blood loss. This tragic error resulted in Bryan’s untimely death on the operating table, leaving his family and loved ones in shock and grief.
A Pattern of Errors
In a disturbing twist, the law firm claims that Dr. Shaknovsky had a history of surgical mistakes. In 2023, he allegedly removed a portion of another patient’s pancreas, raising serious questions about his competence and the safety of surgical practices at the hospital.
After the operation, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly informed Mrs. Bryan that the “spleen” he had removed was significantly enlarged and had migrated to the opposite side of her husband’s body. However, typical human anatomy indicates that the liver is much larger than the spleen and located on the opposite side of the abdominal cavity. This discrepancy has led to further scrutiny of Dr. Shaknovsky’s actions during the procedure.
Ongoing Investigations
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office and other authorities are currently investigating Bryan’s death to determine the circumstances surrounding this grievous error. The hospital has issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to investigating the incident thoroughly, stating, “We take allegations like this very seriously and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event.”
Joe Zarzaur, the lawyer representing Mrs. Bryan, has announced that she is pursuing both criminal and civil proceedings against Dr. Shaknovsky and the hospital, seeking justice for the devastating loss of her husband. “This was a catastrophic failure of medical care, and we are determined to hold those responsible accountable,” Zarzaur stated.
A Call for Accountability
This tragic incident raises significant concerns about patient safety and the accountability of medical professionals. Surgical errors can have dire consequences, and it is crucial that healthcare institutions implement rigorous protocols to prevent such mistakes from happening in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the Bryan family hopes for answers and justice in the wake of this senseless loss. The healthcare community must learn from this tragedy to ensure that no other family experiences such a profound and painful loss due to preventable errors.
In the coming weeks, further developments are expected as authorities continue their investigation and the Bryan family seeks recourse for the heart-wrenching situation they find themselves in. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accountability in the medical field and the need for ongoing vigilance to safeguard patient well-being.
