Doctor Removes Wrong Organ, Faces Charges

A Florida surgeon, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, has been indicted for second-degree manslaughter in connection with the August 2024 death of patient William Bryan. Bryan's wife alleges that Dr. Shaknovsky removed the 70-year-old's liver instead of his spleen during a surgical procedure.

During a deposition obtained by NBC News, Dr. Shaknovsky, 44, stated that he "couldn't tell the difference" between the organs because he was "so upset" and struggling to control extensive bleeding. He described the situation as attempting to find a clog in a sink. He admitted a "wrong-site event" occurred after 20 minutes of trying to save Bryan's life.

William Bryan had traveled to Okaloosa County, Florida, from Alabama for medical treatment for severe abdominal pain. Following the surgery, William's team was unable to resuscitate him, and Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly retreated to cry, stating he was devastated and felt he had failed his patient.

Further complicating the case, William's wife's lawsuit contends that a medical examiner found his spleen to be "nearly normal." Shaknovsky reportedly instructed a nurse to label the removed liver as a spleen and identified it as such in postoperative notes, attributing his actions to being "mentally compromised" by grief and distress.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office announced the grand jury's indictment, finding probable cause that the actions constituted criminal conduct under Florida law. Dr. Shaknovsky was taken into custody.