Florida Doctor Indicted for Fatal Surgery Error Involving Misidentified Organ
Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a Florida-based osteopathic physician, has been indicted on charges of second-degree manslaughter following a surgical error that resulted in the death of a 70-year-old patient. The incident occurred in August 2024 at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Florida, where Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly removed the patient's liver instead of the spleen during a procedure. The surgery, initially planned as a laparoscopic splenectomy, was converted to an open procedure under chaotic conditions, leading to the fatal mistake. The patient, who initially refused the surgery, was persuaded by Dr. Shaknovsky to proceed. The operating room staff expressed concerns about the doctor's experience and the timing of the surgery, which was scheduled late in the day with a limited crew. Dr. Shaknovsky's medical licenses in Florida, Alabama, and New York have been suspended or surrendered following the incident. 
