Accidental Liver Removal? This Surgeon’s Past Mistakes Will Make You Cringe!

A Florida surgeon faces growing legal battles after a series of shocking surgical errors that have left patients dead or severely harmed. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a surgeon based in Florida, had his medical license suspended in the state after a botched splenectomy that led to the death of William Bryan. The latest developments reveal that his license was also suspended in Alabama, following a complaint filed by the state’s Board of Medical Examiners on October 22, according to McClatchy News.

Shaknovsky’s history of negligence isn’t limited to Bryan’s case. The complaint outlines several disturbing instances of medical errors, including a procedure in May 2023 where Shaknovsky removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland, and the death of a female patient following an ill-advised change in her surgical plan in July 2023.

The woman was initially scheduled for an ileostomy, a standard procedure that creates a small opening in the abdomen to help with waste elimination. However, in a last-minute decision, Shaknovsky decided to perform a bowel resection instead, a much more invasive procedure that involves removing part of the intestine. The decision proved disastrous, resulting in a perforated bowel. As stated in the complaint, “her health deteriorated post-operatively and she was moved to the ICU where she later died.”

This marks at least the third instance in which Shaknovsky has unnecessarily removed a part of an organ during surgery. His judgment and methods have now raised serious questions about his ability to perform complex surgeries safely. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has also launched its own investigation. According to the complaint, the investigation found that Shaknovsky and his surgical team “failed to appropriately use diagnostic testing and delayed in ordering imaging to timely treat sepsis.” This failure contributed to the rapid decline and eventual death of his patient.

The situation has drawn the attention of attorney Joe Zarzaur, who represents Bryan’s widow in a lawsuit against the surgeon. In a video posted to Instagram, Zarzaur made a strong claim, stating that Shaknovsky “cannot legally practice medicine anywhere in the US at this time.”

Zarzaur also represents another former patient of Shaknovsky’s, who suffered complications during a colon surgery in July 2024. This patient alleges that Shaknovsky threatened him when he considered seeking legal help after his botched surgery, further fueling concerns about the doctor’s professional conduct.

The case is far from over. A hearing regarding Shaknovsky’s medical license suspension in Alabama is scheduled for December 18. As the legal process unfolds, more details about the extent of Shaknovsky’s negligence may come to light, further tarnishing his already damaged reputation.

For now, families of his patients are left to pick up the pieces, seeking justice and answers for the tragic outcomes that have resulted from his operating room decisions.