Patient Dies After Doctor Allegedly Removes Wrong Organ

Patient Dies After Doctor Allegedly Removes Wrong Organ

From Murder Files Unsealed by Author Adidas Wilson

April 24, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

The episode details the tragic case of a patient who died after a surgeon removed the wrong organ, highlighting systemic failures in medical safety.

The episode chronicles the tragic death of William Bryan, a 70-year-old man who died after a surgeon mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen. Despite the patient's initial hesitation, he underwent the procedure only to suffer catastrophic internal bleeding when major blood vessels were severed during the error. Investigations revealed a scene of operating room chaos where staff members allegedly recognized the mistake but failed to intervene effectively. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, the surgeon responsible, faced an emergency license suspension and was eventually indicted on charges of manslaughter. This account highlights a profound systemic failure in medical safety, underscoring the dangers of surgical incompetence and the breakdown of communication in high-pressure environments. The narrative serves as a grim case study on "never events" and the critical importance of maintaining accountability within the healthcare system. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support .

People in this episode

Host: Adidas Wilson

Topics covered

  • medical error
  • surgical incompetence
  • patient safety
  • systemic failure
  • manslaughter
  • healthcare accountability

Keywords

  • wrong organ removal
  • surgical error
  • patient death
  • medical malpractice
  • operating room chaos

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