In a grievous medical error at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar, Florida, a 70-year-old man died when his liver was mistakenly removed instead of his spleen during surgery.
A surgical mishap involving the wrongful removal of a liver instead of a spleen has resulted in the death of William Bryan, sparking investigations and legal repercussions, NBC News reported.
William Bryan of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, had spleen abnormalities that required surgery. On August 21, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky operated on him at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar, Florida.
Bryan and his wife, Beverly, were in Florida overseeing their rental property when he experienced severe left-sided flank pain. Dr. Shaknovsky and Dr. Christopher Bacani suggested surgery as the situation escalated.
Despite initial reservations, the urgency of his condition as explained by the medical professionals convinced Bryan to undergo the procedure. However, in a tragic turn of events, Dr. Shaknovsky removed the liver instead of the spleen, leading to immediate complications.
Dr. Shaknovsky had previously faced criticism over his surgical competence. In 2023, he made a similar mistake by operating on parts of a pancreas instead of the adrenal gland that required intervention.
The immediate aftermath of the surgery was catastrophic. According to Zarzaur Law, representing the Bryan family, "Dr. Shaknovsky transected major vasculature supplying the liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death."
The error came to light only after Bryan's unfortunate demise when the removed liver was erroneously labeled as a spleen. This prompted a deeper investigation into the surgery's handling.
Following the tragedy, an extensive review of the incident was initiated by the hospital. They stated, "Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard and do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation."
The Walton County Sheriff's Office, along with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney, is also taking an in-depth look into the circumstances surrounding Bryan's death. They aim to determine if the surgical procedure involved any criminal violations.
Currently, the employment status of both Dr. Shaknovsky and Dr. Bacani remains unclear, as neither has issued any public comments regarding the incident.
Beverly Bryan, through her attorney, expressed her profound loss and frustration, stating, "My husband died helpless on the operating room table due to Dr. Shaknovsky's incompetence, at a hospital known for safety," highlighting the impact of this tragedy on her life and her resolve to seek justice.
Zarzaur Law, on behalf of the Bryan family, emphasized their commitment to community safety and justice. "Our goal is to make our community safer one case at a time, and although most doctors perform admirably, some should not be practicing medicine," remarked Joe Zarzaur.
The legal pursuits may include both civil and criminal proceedings, aiming to hold all responsible parties accountable and to prevent such errors in future medical practice.
This incident has stirred the local and medical community, raising questions about surgical standards and oversight at facilities tasked with life-saving operations.
The Florida Board of Medicine has kept the licenses of both involved physicians active, though their capabilities have shaken public trust.
As the investigations proceed, the medical community and regulatory bodies will likely scrutinize existing protocols and implement more stringent measures to prevent repeating such fatal errors.
