A Florida surgeon has been indicted on second-degree manslaughter charges following the death of a patient during an operation that saw his largest vein severed and part of his healthy liver removed instead of his spleen.

The mishap occurred in August 2024 when William Bryan, a 70-year-old from Alabama, was admitted to a hospital in Miramar Beach with abdominal pain. The surgeon on call, Thomas Shaknovsky, misidentified organs during the procedure and caused fatal injuries, despite plans to only remove Bryan’s spleen.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with state authorities to investigate the case, which led to an indictment last week. Dr Shaknovsky is currently out on bail pending a trial that could see him face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo had already suspended Dr Shaknovsky’s license immediately after the incident, highlighting how such errors can have catastrophic consequences and the need for rigorous training and oversight within medical practices.