A 70-year-old Florida man, William Bryan, tragically died on the operating table at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital after a surgeon mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen.

Bryan, who was visiting his rental property with his wife Beverly, had been experiencing abdominal pain. After being admitted for tests, he was recommended for surgery by the medical team, led by General Surgeon Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christopher Bacani. Despite initial hesitation, Bryan consented to a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy in August.

However, during the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver, causing severe blood loss and ultimately leading to his death.

According to a statement from the law firm representing Bryan’s widow, Beverly, the surgeons attempted to cover up the error by labeling the removed liver as an “enlarged spleen.”

The law firm alleges that Dr. Shaknovsky severed major blood vessels while removing the liver, resulting in immediate and fatal hemorrhage. They further claim that the surgeons misled the family by claiming the spleen was severely diseased and had migrated across Bryan’s body, suggesting that his actual spleen was still in place with a small cyst.

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with the law firm vowing to hold those responsible for Bryan’s death accountable.