BTN News: An elderly man from Alabama died during surgery in a Florida hospital after his liver was mistakenly removed instead of his spleen. William Bryan, 70, was visiting Walton County in Northwest Florida with his wife when he experienced severe abdominal pain. Despite initial hesitation, he consented to surgery at the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital, a decision that ultimately cost him his life. The tragic incident occurred during what was supposed to be a routine procedure, highlighting a grave medical error that has left his family demanding answers.
Unexpected Pain Leads to a Fatal Decision
William Bryan was enjoying a trip to Florida when he suddenly began experiencing intense pain on the left side of his abdomen. Concerned, he sought medical attention at the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital. Doctors there diagnosed him with a spleen issue and recommended an immediate spleen removal surgery (splenectomy). Initially, Bryan was reluctant to undergo surgery at the hospital and even requested to be discharged so he could return to Alabama and consult his primary physician. However, medical staff, including Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, persuaded him that the surgery was necessary to avoid potentially serious complications.
The Surgical Error: Liver Removed Instead of Spleen
On August 31, Bryan was taken to the operating room for a laparoscopic splenectomy. Shockingly, during the procedure, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver, a critical organ, instead of his spleen. In addition to removing the wrong organ, the surgeon also severed an artery that supplies blood to the liver, causing massive blood loss. The 70-year-old man died on the operating table as a result of these errors.
Family’s Outcry Over Medical Malpractice
Following the surgery, the mistake was not immediately disclosed to Bryan’s family. The surgeon, Dr. Shaknovsky, even informed Bryan’s wife that her husband’s spleen was “four times larger than normal.” However, a pathologist’s report later revealed that the removed organ was not the spleen but a “visibly identifiable” liver, which had been partially torn during the procedure. This shocking revelation led Bryan’s wife to file a complaint against the hospital, expressing her outrage over the preventable death. “My husband died helplessly on Dr. Shaknovsky’s operating table,” she said in a statement, emphasizing that no one else should suffer due to such medical incompetence.
Hospital Investigation Underway, Legal Battle Looms
The family’s legal team claims that the spleen, which was the intended organ for removal, only had a minor cyst and did not pose any imminent threat to Bryan’s health. The Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital, part of a Catholic non-profit healthcare system with 140 hospitals across the U.S., has launched an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the Bryan family’s attorneys are preparing for a wrongful death lawsuit, aiming to hold the hospital and Dr. Shaknovsky accountable for what they describe as a “gross surgical error” and a clear case of medical negligence.
Growing Concerns Over Patient Safety and Accountability
This tragic incident has sparked wider concerns about patient safety and surgical errors in hospitals across the country. Questions are being raised about how such a significant mistake could occur during what was supposed to be a routine laparoscopic procedure. As the investigation unfolds, the Bryan family continues to seek justice, hoping to prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
Key Details of the Incident: What Went Wrong?
- Who: William Bryan, a 70-year-old man from Alabama.
- What: Death due to a surgical error where the liver was mistakenly removed instead of the spleen.
- Where: Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Walton County, Florida.
- When: August 31.
- Why: A medical mistake during a laparoscopic splenectomy.
- How: The surgeon, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, removed the liver instead of the spleen and severed a critical artery, leading to fatal blood loss.
Implications and Next Steps
As the investigation continues, the outcome could have significant implications for medical practice standards and patient safety protocols nationwide. The case underscores the importance of accountability in healthcare, particularly when human lives are at stake. The Bryan family’s pursuit of justice serves as a reminder that vigilance is crucial to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Conclusion: Tragedy Sparks Demand for Accountability
William Bryan’s unexpected death following a routine surgical procedure has raised critical questions about the quality of care and competence in medical practices. As his family fights for justice, their story highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability within the healthcare system.
