Alabama man tragically dies while having surgery after doctors removed the wrong organ

Undergoing surgery can be a stressful event. While most operations go well, and some can even save lives, others can turn into a nightmare. This was the case for 70-year-old William Bryan, a father of three who fought for the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He tragically died on the table, after his doctors made a terrible mistake. Here's what happened to him.

William Bryan died on the operating table

William Bryan was on holiday in his Florida home with his wife of 33 years, Beverly. The couple, originally from Alabama, USA, was spending time in Okaloosa County in August 2024, when William began feeling ill.He complained of pain on his side, and Beverly took him to the nearest hospital. Doctors at the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County, Florida, ran some tests and discovered a problem with his spleen, which required emergency surgery. William Bryan requested to be discharged from the hospital to go get treatment closer to his Alabama home, but doctors convinced him of getting surgery immediately.

On 21 August 2024, William Bryan was operated by Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky and the hospital's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani. While the surgeons were supposed to remove the patient's spleen, they reportedly took out his liver instead. They allegedly tore blood vessels, which resulted in ''immediate and catastrophic blood loss, resulting in death.'

His widow has pressed charges

Beverly Bryan was informed of her husband's death by the surgeons themselves. She has called for civil and criminal proceedings against the surgeons, as she is seeking 'justice' for William. In a statement shared by the Daily Mail, Beverly said:

My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky.

William's widow has explained she is pressing charges to prevent other tragic deaths from happening, as well as honouring her husband's last moments alive. Beverly Bryan also named the surgeon directly, blaming him for her husband's tragic death. She explained:

I don't want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known or knew he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes.

The hospital has responded to these allegations, claiming they were looking into the ordeal. A spokesperson said:

We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family.

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Sources used:

LADbible: Man died on operating table after ‘surgeons removed the wrong organ'

Daily Mail: Alabama widow's heartbreak after husband died on operating table 'when surgeons removed the WRONG organ'