Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse

The New Coffee Room

  1. TNCR
  2. General Discussion
  3. Florida Surgeon Tuesday

Florida Surgeon Tuesday

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion
29 Posts 6 Posters 322 Views
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • G Offline
    G Offline
    George K
    wrote on 3 Sept 2024, 22:27 last edited by
    #1

    Florida surgeon under fire after allegedly removing patient's Liver instead of Spleen

    Florida surgeon, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, is in hot water after he allegedly removed a patient's liver rather than spleen, which resulted in catastrophic blood loss and the death of a 70-year-old man.

    William Bryan was visiting Florida with his wife when he began experiencing severe abdominal pain.

    He was soon hospitalized and diagnosed with a spleen abnormality.

    Despite reservations, Bryan and his wife were persuaded by Dr. Shaknovsky and the hospital's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, that immediate surgery was necessary.

    The splenectomy was scheduled for August 2024 at the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach.

    During the operation, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly removed Bryan's liver, mistaking it for the spleen.

    Following the procedure, the doctor told Bryan's wife that the organ was severely diseased and that it had enlarged to four times its normal size, causing it to migrate to the side of the body, according to The Express Tribune.

    The mistake was only discovered after Bryan's death, when it was confirmed that the spleen was still intact while the liver had been wrongly extracted.

    Bryan's wife, Beverly Bryan, has since filed a lawsuit against the doctor and the hospital, citing gross negligence and malpractice.

    The lawsuit also notes a previous incident in 2023 where Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly removed part of a patient's pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection, heightening further concerns about his competence.

    I can't even begin to imagine how this happened. The liver's on the RIGHT SIDE.

    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

    1 Reply Last reply
    • G Offline
      G Offline
      George K
      wrote on 3 Sept 2024, 22:30 last edited by
      #2

      https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article291866640.html

      He died during the surgery, the law firm said in an Aug. 30 news release. Bryan’s procedure was performed by Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, an operative report shows. >

      Afterward, it was discovered that the organ Shaknovsky thought was and labeled as Bryan’s spleen was actually his liver, according to Zarzaur Law.

      In a surgical pathology report written by Dr. Robert Blanchard, the pathologist noted the organ removed from Bryan’s body, which was “designated” as a spleen, was a “grossly identifiable” liver that was partly torn.

      When Shaknovsky wrongly removed the liver, he tore the blood vessels that connected to the organ, “causing immediate and catastrophic blood loss resulting in death,” Zarzaur Law said in a statement.

      "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

      The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

      1 Reply Last reply
      • M Offline
        M Offline
        mark
        wrote on 3 Sept 2024, 22:53 last edited by
        #3

        What the actual fuck?

        1 Reply Last reply
        • G Offline
          G Offline
          George K
          wrote on 3 Sept 2024, 23:15 last edited by
          #4

          I sent this to a surgeon friend...

          Screenshot 2024-09-03 at 6.15.06 PM.png

          "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

          The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

          1 Reply Last reply
          • A Away
            A Away
            Axtremus
            wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 00:24 last edited by
            #5

            Must be one of those doctors who are not as competent as most nurse practitioners.

            J 1 Reply Last reply 4 Sept 2024, 12:38
            • B Offline
              B Offline
              bachophile
              wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 06:58 last edited by
              #6

              Poor Dr Shaknovsky, never thought that he would one day be a world famous liver surgeon.

              1 Reply Last reply
              • J Online
                J Online
                jon-nyc
                wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 11:17 last edited by jon-nyc 9 Apr 2024, 11:18
                #7

                George - seems like this would be a case where it would be reasonable to sue the anesthesiologist too. Surely if you were there you’d have noticed that huge red thing he was removing wasn’t the spleen.

                "You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
                -Cormac McCarthy

                G 1 Reply Last reply 4 Sept 2024, 11:27
                • J Online
                  J Online
                  jon-nyc
                  wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 11:21 last edited by
                  #8

                  Oh, and not to blame the victim, but who the hell gets surgery in a random village in the Florida panhandle? Four hour drive gets him to UAB or UF.

                  "You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
                  -Cormac McCarthy

                  J 1 Reply Last reply 4 Sept 2024, 13:02
                  • G Offline
                    G Offline
                    George K
                    wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 11:24 last edited by
                    #9

                    Forgot to add this...

                    The lawsuit also notes a previous incident in 2023 where Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly removed part of a patient's pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection, heightening further concerns about his competence.

                    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    • J jon-nyc
                      4 Sept 2024, 11:17

                      George - seems like this would be a case where it would be reasonable to sue the anesthesiologist too. Surely if you were there you’d have noticed that huge red thing he was removing wasn’t the spleen.

                      G Offline
                      G Offline
                      George K
                      wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 11:27 last edited by
                      #10

                      @jon-nyc said in Florida Surgeon Tuesday:

                      George - seems like this would be a case where it would be reasonable to sue the anesthesiologist too. Surely if you were there you’d have noticed that huge red thing he was removing wasn’t the spleen.

                      Yes and no. OR staff as well.

                      When you're taking an organ out, the first thing you want to do is cut off the blood supply. One you ligate the arteries/veins to the organ, then you can proceed to free it up from the surrounding tissues. However, interrupting the blood supply is a Rubicon kind of moment. You don't go back from that. It's not like, once the liver's exposed, you can just put it back.

                      Though, if I were at the head of the table, I would have wondered why the surgeon is working in the right upper quadrant, where the liver lives.

                      "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                      The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      • A Axtremus
                        4 Sept 2024, 00:24

                        Must be one of those doctors who are not as competent as most nurse practitioners.

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        Jolly
                        wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 12:38 last edited by
                        #11

                        @Axtremus said in Florida Surgeon Tuesday:

                        Must be one of those doctors who are not as competent as most nurse practitioners.

                        Nurse practitioners don't do surgery.

                        “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

                        Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • J Offline
                          J Offline
                          Jolly
                          wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 12:47 last edited by
                          #12

                          From U.S. News:

                          Dr. Thomas J. Shaknovsky is a colon and rectal surgeon in Crestview, Florida and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital and Twin Cities Hospital. He received his medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University and has been in practice between 11-20 years. Dr. Thomas J. Shaknovsky has expertise in treating colonoscopy, upper gi endoscopy, surgical removal of colon, among other conditions - see all areas of expertise. Dr. Thomas J. Shaknovsky accepts Medicare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, United Healthcare - see other insurance plans accepted. Dr. Thomas J. Shaknovsky is highly recommended by patients.

                          “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

                          Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          • J Offline
                            J Offline
                            Jolly
                            wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 12:57 last edited by
                            #13

                            BTW, the hospital is a 76-bedder and recognized for excellence in orthopedic surgery (mostly knees and hips. Hey, it's Florida.). Nowadays, that's not podunk. Small, but not podunk.

                            Patient presented with acute belly pain and cause was determined to originate from the spleen. Since the guy is in his 70's, it ain't gonna be something like spherocytosis, so most likely trauma or lymphoma? (Past my pay grade.)

                            So...I'm no doc, but there is a bit of difference in the size of a liver and a spleen. How does a surgeon make such a mistake unless he's under the influence of drugs or is staggering senile?

                            “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

                            Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • J jon-nyc
                              4 Sept 2024, 11:21

                              Oh, and not to blame the victim, but who the hell gets surgery in a random village in the Florida panhandle? Four hour drive gets him to UAB or UF.

                              J Offline
                              J Offline
                              Jolly
                              wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 13:02 last edited by
                              #14

                              @jon-nyc said in Florida Surgeon Tuesday:

                              Oh, and not to blame the victim, but who the hell gets surgery in a random village in the Florida panhandle? Four hour drive gets him to UAB or UF.

                              A. Four hours might be too long. Chopper.
                              B. Find a bed. Find a bed with the right services. Around here, it's not uncommon to board a patient in the ED for a day, until the right bed comes open somewhere. I've seen patients choppered to New Orleans, Jackson and anywhere within almost 200 miles.

                              “Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”

                              Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • G Offline
                                G Offline
                                George K
                                wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 13:08 last edited by
                                #15

                                It's not too clear to me how he presented. Four hours is not an unreasonable time to wait after presentation or onset of symptoms.

                                And, all that said, there are two observations I want to make.

                                1. A good surgeon can work at a bad hospital. For simple stuff (and a splenectomy is relatively simple), the size of the place is irrelevant. I worked with a lot of fine surgeons who were on the staff where Mrs. George had her negative experience back in July.

                                2. The converse is true. I worked with more than one bozo at the university. I've seen residents have to bail these guys out.

                                "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                                The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • B Offline
                                  B Offline
                                  bachophile
                                  wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 15:04 last edited by bachophile 9 Apr 2024, 15:22
                                  #16

                                  ill try to give my perspective on this, just to try to understand, although, no matter what, the whole story is outrageous.

                                  so the patient had abdominal pain, left sided, and somehow this leads to surgery. I must assume that a CT was done, otherwise i truly dont understand what the indication was, there are very few situations where u rush someone to abdominal surgery without imaging and having at least a working differential diagnosis.

                                  be that as is it may, in what i read, the intended procedure was a lap splenectomy, and so, they must have gone into the case expecting to see something wrong with spleen. so did they have a CT showing this, or maybe misinterpreted as such.

                                  when you do a laparoscopic procedure, one of the funny quirks is, that often your eyes will see what your brain wants you to believe. sort of like a vertigo in an airplane, you interpret your instruments the way you want to.
                                  its happened to me in a lap gall bladder where i was convinced i saw one thing, but when i gave up and opened the belly i could see i was way off....

                                  anyway, the guy saw what he thought was the spleen but was probably the left lobe of liver, which in some people, can be to the left of the midline, maybe flopping down on the stomach. and he went with that till the bitter end. i actually feel sorry for the guy. (let alone the patient)

                                  now doing a splenecetomy is not a particularly hard thing to do, certainly in trauma ive whipped out spleens in open surgery in ten minutes. you just have to ligate the splenic vessesls (without injury to the pancreas) , and short gastrics, which are small vessels between the spleen and the stomach, and out it comes pretty easily. flimsy attachments to the rest of the abdomen.
                                  but to take out the left lobe of the liver, i mean you are talking some pretty hard core anatomy. which is why its hard to digest that you can mistake it like that. portal vein, hepatic artery, bile ducts. this is real hard core plumbing,. life threatning plumbing i mean, you really need to screw up big big time to even get the thing out.

                                  and the craziest thing is, the guy filled out a path report writing "spleen" meaning that even after he pulled the thing out he still thought it was a spleen. it took what was probably a very befuddled pathologist to note that what was sitting on his table was a liver lobe and not a spleen.

                                  its just too bizzarro for words. i mean, i can see very vaguely how you may get confused, vertigonous, but i think even a student or resident would be able to discern that said object was liver and not spleen.

                                  anyway, like i said, at least for a day, he was the worlds best known liver surgeon.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • G Offline
                                    G Offline
                                    George K
                                    wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 15:17 last edited by
                                    #17

                                    I didn't see that it was supposed to be laparoscopic.

                                    "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                                    The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                                    B 1 Reply Last reply 4 Sept 2024, 15:18
                                    • G George K
                                      4 Sept 2024, 15:17

                                      I didn't see that it was supposed to be laparoscopic.

                                      B Offline
                                      B Offline
                                      bachophile
                                      wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 15:18 last edited by
                                      #18

                                      @George-K https://www.newsweek.com/doctor-surgery-florida-liver-removed-spleen-operation-pensacola-attorney-bryan-1948035

                                      its in the newsweek piece

                                      G 1 Reply Last reply 4 Sept 2024, 15:22
                                      • B bachophile
                                        4 Sept 2024, 15:18

                                        @George-K https://www.newsweek.com/doctor-surgery-florida-liver-removed-spleen-operation-pensacola-attorney-bryan-1948035

                                        its in the newsweek piece

                                        G Offline
                                        G Offline
                                        George K
                                        wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 15:22 last edited by
                                        #19

                                        @bachophile said in Florida Surgeon Tuesday:

                                        @George-K https://www.newsweek.com/doctor-surgery-florida-liver-removed-spleen-operation-pensacola-attorney-bryan-1948035

                                        its in the newsweek piece

                                        Ah, OK.

                                        So, what pathology in the spleen can cause a sudden onset of left-sided abdominal pain?

                                        Infarct?

                                        "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

                                        The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • B Offline
                                          B Offline
                                          bachophile
                                          wrote on 4 Sept 2024, 15:25 last edited by
                                          #20

                                          yea maybe, pretty rare, but i still wonder if there was a CT.
                                          not much going on in the left upper quadrant as far as acute diagnoses....anywhere else, ok, u can (but probably shouldn't) go with peritonitis to surgery without imaging,
                                          Right upper-cholecystiis
                                          Right lower, appendix
                                          Left Lower, diverticulitis,
                                          but left upper? very little acute pathology.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes

                                          9/29

                                          4 Sept 2024, 11:24

                                          topic:navigator.unread, 20

                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          9 out of 29
                                          • First post
                                            9/29
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups