Thomas Shaknovsky, a surgeon at the hospital, performed the procedure after discussing the "risks, benefits and alternatives" with Bryan and his wife, Beverly, the operative report says. Once the procedure was complete, instead of removing Bryan's spleen as intended, his liver was removed, according to a surgical pathology report Zarzaur provided to USA TODAY.
Following the procedure, a pathologist realized that the removed organ labeled "spleen" was actually liver tissue, according to Zarzaur. Once an autopsy was done on Bryan, the medical examiner determined that his liver was gone and his spleen was still in his body with a cyst attached to it, the attorney said.
"The spleen had a small cyst on it that had some hemorrhage around it, but it was not a fatal issue," Zarzaur said. "It was a fairly routine-looking cyst. It probably would have been very treatable."
Following the procedure, a pathologist realized that the removed organ labeled "spleen" was actually liver tissue, according to Zarzaur. Once an autopsy was done on Bryan, the medical examiner determined that his liver was gone and his spleen was still in his body with a cyst attached to it, the attorney said.
"The spleen had a small cyst on it that had some hemorrhage around it, but it was not a fatal issue," Zarzaur said. "It was a fairly routine-looking cyst. It probably would have been very treatable."
Family of deceased Alabama man claims surgeon removed liver, not spleen, before his death
The family of 70-year-old William Bryan claims surgeon Thomas Shaknovsky removed his liver and not his spleen during a procedure he did not survive.
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