A Florida surgeon’s fatal mistake leads to license revocation and potential criminal charges.
At a Glance
- Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky removed a patient’s liver instead of spleen, resulting in death
- The Florida Department of Health suspended Shaknovsky’s medical license
- Shaknovsky allegedly fabricated medical records and pressured others to lie
- This case follows a previous incident where Shaknovsky removed the wrong organ
- Civil and criminal charges are being considered against the surgeon
Fatal Surgical Error Shocks Medical Community
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a Florida surgeon, has had his medical license revoked following a series of catastrophic surgical errors. The most egregious of these mistakes resulted in the death of William Bryan, a 70-year-old Navy veteran from Alabama, who died after Shaknovsky allegedly removed the wrong organ during surgery.
On August 21, 2024, Bryan was admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital with concerns about his spleen. Despite initial reluctance, Bryan and his wife were persuaded by doctors to proceed with surgery due to potential serious complications. Dr. Shaknovsky performed what was supposed to be a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy. However, the procedure took a tragic turn when the surgeon mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen.
#BREAKING: Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky is accused of removing William Bryan's liver instead of his spleen at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital. https://t.co/Nhj3VsDB9c
— WAFF 48 (@waff48) September 26, 2024
Catastrophic Consequences and Cover-up Attempts
The removal of Bryan’s liver caused catastrophic blood loss, leading to his immediate death on the operating table. In a shocking display of incompetence and dishonesty, Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly mislabeled the removed liver as a spleen, with the error only being discovered posthumously. The surgeon’s attempts to cover up his mistake did not end there.
“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.” – said the victims wife.
According to reports, Shaknovsky fabricated medical records, lied about the incident, and even pressured others to lie on his behalf. When questioned about the unusually large “spleen,” Shaknovsky claimed it had migrated. However, as pointed out by the family’s lawyer, the liver and spleen are on opposite sides of the body and differ significantly in size, making such a mistake nearly implausible for a trained surgeon.
A Pattern of Negligence
This tragic incident is not an isolated case of Dr. Shaknovsky’s negligence. In 2023, he reportedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland during another surgical procedure. These repeated errors have raised serious concerns about the oversight and safety measures in place within the medical field.
The Florida Department of Health has taken swift action, suspending Shaknovsky’s medical license and citing him as an “immediate, serious danger” to public health. This decision comes in light of not only the fatal error but also the surgeon’s subsequent attempts to cover up his mistakes and manipulate medical records.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Beverly Bryan, the widow of William Bryan, has hired a lawyer and is seeking both criminal and civil proceedings against Dr. Shaknovsky. The case is currently under review by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
“We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2003.
While Dr. Shaknovsky has not yet been criminally charged and has no public complaints or disciplinary cases against him, the severity of this incident and the alleged cover-up attempts may lead to significant legal consequences. Under Florida law, a six- to nine-month pre-suit process is required before filing a formal medical malpractice lawsuit, which is currently underway.
A Call for Improved Safety Measures
This tragic case highlights the critical importance of stringent safety protocols in medical settings. According to a Johns Hopkins study, “never events” such as wrong-site surgeries occur approximately 4,044 times a year in the United States. While patient safety procedures like surgical safety checklists and mandatory “timeouts” are in place, this incident proves they are not foolproof.
As the investigation continues and legal proceedings unfold, this case serves as a stark reminder of the trust patients place in their healthcare providers and the devastating consequences when that trust is betrayed. It also underscores the need for continuous improvement in medical practices and oversight to prevent such tragic errors in the future.
