Surgeon in mistaken liver removal case indicted in 2024 death of Muscle Shoals man

A Walton County, Fla., grand jury indicted the surgeon who performed a surgery on a Muscle Shoals man who died while on vacation in August 2024.

William Dale "Bill" Bryan, 70, of Muscle Shoals, died at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast after going to the hospital with pain in his left side. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky performed the hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery, which was supposed to be a splenectomy. Bryan died on the operating table due to “catastrophic blood loss.”

Shaknovsky was indicted with second-degree manslaughter.

Court documents from the civil case revealed that Shaknovsky admitted that he panicked when an aneurysm ruptured. He blindly fired a staple device in the man’s abdomen and hurriedly removed what he thought was the spleen. Staff reported he continually tried to convince them the removed organ was a spleen.

An examination concluded there was no aneurysm, but instead, the surgeon cut the inferior vena cava, the largest vein in the human body, which connects the liver to the heart.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive investigation after the civil lawsuit was filed, and attorneys showed Shaknovsky was previously sued for another “wrong site” surgery, which settled out of court.

SEE ALSO: 'I hated working with him': Co-workers doubted surgeon who removed Alabama's man liver instead of spleen

“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss.”

Shaknovsky was booked in the Walton County Jail to await his first appearance. He is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Shaknovsky held licenses to perform surgery in both Alabama and Florida. Both licenses have been suspended.