A tragic surgical error at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Destin resulted in the wrongful death of an Alabama man after a surgeon mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen.
At a Glance
- William “Bill” Bryan died due to a critical surgical mistake.
- Surgeon Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen.
- An investigation is underway, and criminal charges may be filed.
- The hospital has pledged a thorough review of its safety procedures.
Details of the Incident
On August 21, 2024, William Bryan and his wife Beverly were visiting their condo in Destin, Florida, when William experienced severe pain in his left side. Admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, Bryan was diagnosed with hemoperitoneum and a splenic injury, necessitating immediate surgery.
General surgeon Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, along with the hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, convinced the Bryans to proceed with the surgery locally due to the risk of spleen rupture if transported. Despite initial hesitation, Beverly Bryan, a nurse, agreed to the surgery.
Stunning story on the case of an Alabama prisoner's missing organs. UAB medical students in recent years raised ethical concerns about a seemingly disproportionate number of organs donated from state prisons. https://t.co/zYkGB6c9rE
— Melissa Brown (@itsmelissabrown) January 31, 2024
The Surgical Mistake
During what was supposed to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead. The error caused catastrophic blood loss, leading to Bryan’s untimely death. Post-surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky labeled the removed liver as a “spleen,” unaware of the mistake.
“I know I’m not the only wife that has lost her husband suddenly, but the loss of my Bill was exceptionally unnecessary and brutal,” Beverly Bryan said during the press conference. “Our family and community is devastated by what’s happened and we feel that it is our duty to spread awareness and warn others.”
A pathologist later confirmed that the removed organ was indeed the liver, while a small cyst remained on Bryan’s spleen. This revelation has raised significant questions about surgical verification protocols and the competency of Dr. Shaknovsky, who has a previous history of wrong-site surgeries.
Legal and Institutional Response
Beverly Bryan is seeking justice through both civil and criminal charges to be filed against Dr. Shaknovsky. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident for potential charges of culpable negligence. “Walton County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and Office of the State Attorney is reviewing the facts involving the death of William Bryan to determine if anything criminal took place,” said Public Information Officer Corey Dobridnia in an email.
The hospital issued a statement expressing their condolences and commitment to patient safety, emphasizing a thorough internal investigation. “Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2001,” the statement continued. “Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation.”
