Alabama Man Dies After Surgery Mistakenly Removes Liver Instead of Spleen

The family of William Bryan, a 70-year-old man from Alabama, has reported that he died following a surgical incident at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County, Florida.

On August 18, Bryan was admitted to the facility for a splenectomy, a procedure intended to remove the spleen due to severe abdominal pain. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a surgeon at the hospital, performed the surgery after discussing the procedure with Bryan and his wife, Beverly.

According to an operative report, the surgery was completed, but instead of removing the spleen, Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver. Following the surgery, a pathologist discovered that what was labeled as the “spleen” was actually liver tissue.

Despite the intent to treat Bryan’s splenic injury, the removal of his liver led to massive blood loss, resulting in Bryan’s death on the operating table. This tragic error has been characterized by family attorney Joe Zarzaur as one of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice.

The hospital has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and is currently conducting a thorough investigation. In a statement, Ascension indicated that patient safety remains their top priority and expressed condolences to Bryan’s family.

Beverly Bryan, in a recent news conference, expressed her heartache and frustration over her husband’s death, stating that it was a result of medical negligence. She described William Bryan as a loving husband and father who brought joy to those around him.

As of now, no formal complaint has been filed against Dr. Shaknovsky due to Florida’s pre-suit legal requirements, but a lawsuit is anticipated. The attorney mentioned concerns about Shaknovsky continuing to practice medicine despite the ongoing investigation.

A criminal investigation is also being conducted by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, focusing on the circumstances surrounding Bryan’s death.

Previous allegations against Dr. Shaknovsky include a similar incident in 2023, where he mistakenly removed a part of a patient’s pancreas while attempting to take out an adrenal gland. That case was settled privately.