Surgeon Allegedly Removes Wrong Organ in Fatal Florida Surgery
PENSACOLA, Florida – A medical malpractice claim has surfaced after a tragic incident at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, where a surgeon allegedly removed the wrong organ, resulting in the death of 70-year-old William Bryan.
According to the family’s attorney, Bryan and his wife, Beverly, were visiting their rental property in Okaloosa County when he began experiencing severe pain in his left side. The couple sought medical attention at the hospital, where doctors recommended surgery to remove his spleen. However, during the procedure, the surgeon, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, reportedly removed Bryan’s liver instead, leading to catastrophic blood loss and his immediate death.
Wrong Organ Removal
In a statement released by the family’s lawyer, it was revealed that Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver, labeling it as a spleen. The error was only discovered postmortem, after Bryan had succumbed to the damage caused by the removal of the wrong organ. The lawyer stated, “Dr. Shaknovsky removed Mr. Bryan’s liver and, in so doing, transected the major vasculature supplying the liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss.”
Shockingly, after the surgery, the doctor reportedly informed Beverly Bryan that the organ removed was extremely diseased and four times its normal size, claiming it had shifted positions inside Bryan’s body. It wasn’t until after William Bryan’s death that medical staff identified that his spleen had not been removed and remained inside his body.
Legal Proceedings and Accusations
Beverly Bryan is now seeking both criminal and civil action against the surgeon and the hospital. She expressed her grief and frustration, stating, “My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky. 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.”
Dr. Shaknovsky, the general surgeon responsible for the procedure, and Dr. Christopher Bacani, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, are both named in the legal filings. The family alleges that the hospital failed to properly vet the surgeon, who they claim has a history of significant surgical errors.
Hospital Response
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital has yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the allegations. However, the lawsuit has drawn attention to the importance of accountability and safety in the medical field, with the Bryan family calling for stricter oversight and better safety protocols in hospitals to prevent further tragedies.
This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of surgical errors and raises serious questions about the standards and safety protocols followed by medical institutions. The outcome of the legal proceedings may set a precedent for medical accountability in Florida and beyond.
