Florida doc removed patient’s liver by mistake: Lawsuit

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A Florida surgeon mistakenly removed a 70-year-old patient’s liver, resulting in the senior’s death, according to a lawsuit.

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A report from The Express Tribune says the alleged incident happened in August during a scheduled splenectomy by Dr. Thomas Shaknovski, who is based at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach.

He removed William Bryan’s liver — instead of his spleen — resulting in catastrophic blood and the patient’s death, the lawsuit alleged.

According to The Express Tribune, Bryan, who was visiting Florida with his wife, Beverly, started experiencing abdominal pain and was admitted to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a spleen abnormality.

Bryan and his wife were reportedly persuaded by Shaknovsky and the hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, that immediate surgery was required.

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The lawsuit alleged that, during the operation, Shaknovsky removed Bryan’s liver, mistaking it for the spleen, and informed Bryan’s wife that the organ was severely diseased, had enlarged to four times its normal size, and had migrated to the other side of the body.

The serious mistake was only discovered after Bryan’s death, the lawsuit alleged, when it was confirmed that the spleen was still intact while the liver was mistakenly removed.

Beverly Bryan filed the lawsuit against Dr. Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital.

The suit reportedly accused the hospital and doctor of gross negligence and malpractice and seeks both criminal and civil penalties.

Newsweek reported that Ascension Medical Group issued a statement, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Sacred Heart Emerald Coast’s leadership is investigating this matter.”

Newsweek sought comment from Shaknovsky by email on Tuesday.

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