In a tragic surgical error at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, Florida, U.S., Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky mistakenly removed the liver instead of the spleen during a scheduled splenectomy on William Bryan. This critical mistake resulted in severe blood loss and ultimately led to Bryan's death. The incident, which occurred in August, involved 70-year-old William Bryan from Alabama.

Bryan initially sought medical attention while at his rental property in Okaloosa County, where he experienced severe abdominal pain. The pain progressively worsened, leading to his admission to Dr. Shaknovsky’s hospital. Upon examination, an abnormality in Bryan’s spleen was identified. Dr. Shaknovsky, along with Dr. Christopher Bacani, the hospital's Chief Medical Officer, informed Bryan’s family that urgent surgical intervention was necessary to address the identified issue.

During the splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan's liver instead of the spleen. This grave error led to substantial blood loss and, tragically, Bryan’s death. The situation was further complicated by Dr. Shaknovsky’s initial misidentification of the removed organ. He described the removed liver as the spleen, noting it was severely diseased and enlarged—up to four times its normal size. It was only after the procedure was completed that the true nature of the removed organ was realized, confirming it was indeed the liver and not the spleen as intended.

Following the incident, local news sources reported that Bryan's wife is preparing to take legal action against the hospital. She plans to file both criminal and civil lawsuits against Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, seeking justice for her husband's death. The lawsuits will address the grave medical negligence that led to Bryan’s untimely death and the subsequent suffering endured by his family.

Shaknovsky mistakenly identified the removed liver as the spleen, telling them that it was severely diseased and had enlarged to four times its normal size, even migrating to the other side of the body.

This case highlights the critical importance of meticulous surgical procedures and the devastating consequences of medical errors.

References:

1. NBC News. “Florida surgeon mistakenly removes patient’s liver instead of spleen, causing him to die, widow says,” September 4, 2024. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-surgeon-mistakenly-removes-patients-liver-instead-spleen-causi-rcna169614.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)