In a shocking case of alleged medical malpractice, a Florida surgeon is accused of mistakenly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen, leading to the man’s death during the operation. The lawsuit, filed by the widow of William Bryan, 70, details a devastating surgical error at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida.
According to Zarzaur Law, the firm representing Beverly Bryan, William Bryan, from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, was visiting Florida when he sought medical attention for left-sided flank pain. He was admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital for evaluation of spleen abnormalities. Despite initial hesitation about surgery in Florida, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan were allegedly convinced by Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a general surgeon, and Dr. Christopher Bacani, the hospital’s chief medical officer, that immediate surgery was necessary to prevent serious complications.
On August 21, Dr. Shaknovsky performed a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy on William Bryan. However, the lawsuit alleges a catastrophic error occurred during the procedure. “Dr. Shaknovsky removed Mr. Bryan’s liver and, in so doing, transected the major vasculature supplying the liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death,” the legal statement asserts. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the lawsuit claims the removed liver was initially mislabeled as a spleen, and the fatal mistake was only discovered post-mortem.
Beverly Bryan’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, stated that Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly told Mrs. Bryan that her husband’s spleen was severely diseased, claiming it was four times larger than normal and had shifted to the opposite side of his body. This explanation raises serious questions, as the liver is significantly larger than the spleen and located on the opposite side of the abdomen in standard human anatomy. For reference, the Cleveland Clinic notes that a typical spleen is about the size of an avocado, while a liver is closer to the size of a football. The family was reportedly further informed that Mr. Bryan’s actual spleen, the source of his initial pain, remained in his body and was found to have only a small cyst.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed an ongoing investigation into Mr. Bryan’s death, collaborating with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal negligence was involved. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital released a statement acknowledging the incident, stating they are “performing a thorough investigation” and take such allegations “very seriously.” While emphasizing their commitment to patient safety and quality care since 2003, the hospital refrained from commenting on specific details due to patient privacy and ongoing litigation.
Adding another layer of concern, Zarzaur Law alleges that Dr. Shaknovsky was involved in a similar prior incident in 2023, where he reportedly removed portions of a pancreas instead of an adrenal gland, a case that was privately settled. As of Wednesday afternoon, the employment status of Dr. Shaknovsky and Dr. Bacani was unclear.
Beverly Bryan is now seeking justice for her husband and aims to prevent similar tragedies. “My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky,” she stated through her attorney. “I don’t want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known or knew he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes.” She is reportedly pursuing both criminal and civil legal actions. Zarzaur Law emphasized their commitment to community safety, stating, “While most doctors are doing excellent work to keep us healthy, there is a small percentage that should not be practicing medicine.” A search of the Florida Board of Medicine on Wednesday afternoon indicated that Dr. Shaknovsky’s medical license remains active, as does Dr. Bacani’s.
This case raises critical questions about surgical protocols, oversight, and accountability within hospitals. The investigation into William Bryan’s death and the allegations against Dr. Shaknovsky will be closely watched as they unfold, potentially setting a precedent for medical error accountability and patient safety in surgical procedures.
