In a devastating incident that has shocked many, a man tragically lost his life after a Florida surgeon allegedly removed the wrong organ during a routine surgical procedure. This heartbreaking event highlights the potential dangers of surgical errors and the catastrophic consequences that can follow when mistakes are made in the operating room.
A Routine Surgery Turns Fatal
William Bryan, a 70-year-old Navy veteran, was enjoying time with his wife, Beverly, at their rental property in Okaloosa County, Florida, when he began experiencing sudden and severe pain in his side. Concerned about his symptoms, he sought medical attention at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County. What began as a routine visit to address what doctors believed was an issue with his spleen, quickly escalated into a tragic event.
According to the law firm representing Bryan’s widow, Zarzaur Law, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a general surgeon, and Dr. Christopher Bacani, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, determined that the pain was due to a problem with Bryan’s spleen. The doctors reportedly advised him that surgery was necessary and warned him of the serious complications that could arise if he left the hospital without treatment. Trusting the medical professionals, Bryan agreed to undergo a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy on August 21.
A Catastrophic Error in the Operating Room
During the procedure, Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly made a fatal mistake by misidentifying Bryan’s liver as his spleen. The liver, a much larger organ located on the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, was mistakenly targeted. In an attempt to remove what he believed was the spleen, Dr. Shaknovsky cut through blood vessels connected to the liver, causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss. The tragic error led to Bryan’s untimely death on the operating table.
In the aftermath of the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly informed Beverly that her husband’s spleen was so severely diseased that it had grown to four times its normal size and had migrated to the other side of his body. However, an autopsy later revealed that Bryan’s spleen was intact and only had a small cyst, contradicting the doctor’s explanation.
A Family’s Pursuit of Justice
The devastating loss has left Bryan’s family reeling, and his widow, Beverly, is determined to seek justice for her late husband. She has enlisted the help of Zarzaur Law to hold those responsible accountable for the fatal mistake. Beverly has expressed her grief and outrage, stating that her husband’s death was a direct result of Dr. Shaknovsky’s incompetence. She has also called for the surgeon to be barred from treating other patients, citing concerns over his past surgical mistakes, including an alleged incident in 2023 where he wrongfully removed a patient’s pancreas.
“My husband died helpless on the operating room table because of Dr. Shaknovsky’s negligence,” Beverly said in a statement. “I don’t want anyone else to suffer the same fate at the hands of this doctor. The hospital should have known or did know about his previous errors and should have taken action to prevent this tragedy.”
Beverly is now pushing for both civil and criminal proceedings against Dr. Shaknovsky and the hospital, seeking justice not only for her husband but also to protect future patients from similar mistakes.
Hospital’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital issued a statement expressing their condolences to the Bryan family and assuring the public that a thorough investigation is underway. “We take allegations like this very seriously,” the spokesperson said. “Our leadership team is conducting a comprehensive investigation into this tragic event. Patient safety has always been and remains our top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bryan family during this difficult time.”
The hospital has also emphasized its commitment to maintaining patient privacy and has refrained from commenting on specific patient cases or ongoing litigation.
Doctor Disassociated from Hospital
In the wake of the incident, North Walton Doctor’s Hospital, where Dr. Shaknovsky was previously affiliated, has reportedly distanced itself from the surgeon. According to an update shared by Zarzaur Law on Instagram, the hospital has removed all pictures and references to Dr. Shaknovsky from its website, indicating a clear disassociation.
Conclusion
The tragic death of William Bryan serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks involved in surgical procedures and the importance of vigilance and competence in the operating room. While nothing can bring Bryan back, his family’s pursuit of justice may help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and that measures are put in place to protect patients from such catastrophic errors.
Our hearts go out to William Bryan’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
