Florida Surgeon Faces Manslaughter Charges After Wrong-Organ Surgery Results in Patient Death
In a tragic case of medical error, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a general surgeon, has been indicted on second-degree manslaughter charges following a botched surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida. The incident occurred in August 2024 when 70-year-old William Bryan underwent a laparoscopic splenectomy, a procedure intended to remove his spleen. However, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan's liver, leading to catastrophic blood loss and Bryan's death on the operating table. The Florida Department of Health subsequently suspended Dr. Shaknovsky's medical license, citing this and other surgical errors. The hospital clarified that Dr. Shaknovsky was not an employee and has not practiced there since the incident. This case highlights the persistent issue of wrong-site surgeries, which are considered 'never events' by healthcare standards. 
