Patient Died After Surgeons Removed Wrong Organ, Lawsuit Alleges

The family of an Alabama man who died during surgery have sued the Florida hospital where it was performed, alleging that surgeons removed the wrong organ, U.S.A. Today reported.

On August 18, 70-year-old William Bryan went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County, FL, for a splenectomy, according to Joe Zarzaur, the Bryan family’s attorney. Bryan had begun to suffer “severe abdominal pain” while on vacation with his wife of 33 years, Beverly, in nearby Destin.

According to a surgical pathology report provided to U.S.A. Today by Zarzaur, Shaknovsky diagnosed Bryan with hemoperitoneum and splenic injury, or bleeding of the spleen. After discussing spleen removal and informing Bryan and Beverly of the procedure’s "risks, benefits, and alternatives," surgeon Thomas Shaknovsky performed the procedure.

During the initial consultation, Beverly expressed a desire to return to Destin before her husband underwent the procedure. However, Shaknovsky allegedly told her that Bryan could bleed out if transported in his current condition.

The report goes on to note that doctors removed Bryan’s “large” spleen during the August 21 surgery, during which he died of significant blood loss. "Case was discussed at length with patient's wife and family and they were updated on unfortunate developments," the report notes. "All events regarding the surgery were discussed with the family. All questions were answered."

However, according to Zarzaur, after the procedure, a pathologist realized that the “spleen” actually contained liver tissue. A medical examiner later confirmed that Bryan’s liver had been removed, and his spleen was still present with a cyst attached to it.

"The spleen had a small cyst on it that had some hemorrhage around it, but it was not a fatal issue," Zarzaur said during a press conference on Tuesday. "It was a fairly routine-looking cyst. It probably would have been very treatable."

"We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event," a hospital spokesperson told the outlet via email. "Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation."

Beverly Bryan also gave emotional testimony at Tuesday’s press conference, calling her husband’s death “unnecessary and brutal.”

"I was lucky enough to be the wife of William Bryan, and I'll always be grateful for the time that I had with him," she said. "We have three children (and) eight grandchildren and they're grateful for the time that they had with him too."

Beverly continued, saying she is “heartbroken and angry that Bill isn't here due to the incompetence of the doctors involved in the negligence of the Ascension Hospital. They took him from us while he was completely helpless on the operating table. They removed his liver instead of his spleen, so of course, he bled to death on the operating table."

"He brought joy to every life that he ever touched," Beverly said. "He was the best husband and father that I could have possibly asked for…I'll get through this and I'm going to be strong for him because he deserves justice for this."