A doctor in Florida is under scrutiny following a tragic incident in which he allegedly removed the incorrect organ during surgery, leading to the patient’s death. Dr. Thomas Schachnofsky provided a startling rationale for the error during a deposition.
In testimony, Schachnofsky explained that his 70-year-old patient, William Bryan, began to bleed from an unspecified area while preparing for a laparoscopic splenectomy. He claimed he was so distressed that he “couldn’t tell the difference” between the spleen and the liver.
The 44-year-old surgeon faces criminal charges associated with this surgical mishap. His deposition was related to a lawsuit filed by Bryan’s wife, Beverly, alleging medical malpractice and wrongful death.
Complications during the surgery included blood accumulation in Bryan’s abdomen and an enlarged colon, which complicated the procedure, making it even more hazardous, according to medical professionals.
Meanwhile, members of the surgical team were also conducting chest compressions to revive Bryan’s heart, adding to the chaos of the situation.
Schachnofsky shared, “I can’t explain the demoralization a surgeon feels when losing a patient on the table.” He went on to express how the trauma affected his ability to differentiate between organs during the surgery.
Medical professionals noted that the incident would leave lasting psychological scars on him.
“This is a devastating event I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I think about it every day,” he stated. “It’s an incredibly unfortunate incident that I deeply regret,” he added, acknowledging being traumatized and marked by the experience.
Beverly mentioned in her lawsuit that she and Bryan were in Florida on vacation when he experienced abdominal pain and was taken to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital. Schachnofsky and another doctor advised surgery due to a suspected issue with his spleen.
However, instead of removing the spleen, Schachnofsky allegedly removed Bryan’s liver, leading to severe blood loss and his eventual death. It was later discovered that the organ had been mislabeled as a spleen before the truth emerged after Bryan passed away.
According to court filings, Schachnofsky claimed to Beverly that the spleen was severely diseased and unusually large, lying on the opposite side of Bryan’s body. Notably, the spleen weighs significantly less than the liver.
Last month, Schachnofsky, whose medical license has been revoked, was arrested while driving for Lyft and charged with second-degree manslaughter. Authorities assert that he made critical errors during the procedure, including opting for a more dangerous open surgery after visibility issues arose. Investigators stated that he mistakenly cut and stapled blood vessels around the liver, which resulted in life-threatening bleeding.
Despite the emergency circumstances, allegations suggest Schachnofsky did not seek additional assistance and attempted to obscure his mistake by mislabeling the organ taken from Brian.
If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
This is not Schachnofsky’s first encounter with legal troubles; he was previously involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit concerning the death of a 70-year-old woman from sepsis following surgery. That case was settled for an undisclosed amount.
His arraignment is set for May 19.
