A Florida doctor, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, has been indicted on second-degree manslaughter charges after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of the spleen during a surgery that resulted in the patient’s death in August 2024.
The 44-year-old physician was arrested following a two-year investigation conducted by local and state law enforcement in coordination with medical authorities. The investigation focused on the death of a 70-year-old Alabama man at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida. Shaknovsky is licensed to practice medicine in Florida, Alabama, and New York, but all his licenses were suspended or surrendered prior to his arrest. He is currently held on a $75,000 bond at the Walton County Jail.
Surgery and Misidentification of Organs
The patient initially presented with abdominal pain on August 18, 2024, and was advised by Dr. Shaknovsky to undergo a laparoscopic splenectomy. After initially refusing surgery, the patient eventually agreed. The operation took place late in the day on August 21, raising concerns among hospital staff due to a skeletal crew and the complexity of the procedure.
During surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky converted the laparoscopic procedure to an open operation without adequately documenting reasons. According to hospital reports, the surgeon mistakenly identified the liver as the spleen and removed it. Operating room witnesses described a chaotic scene in which visibility was obstructed by a burst megacolon and excessive bleeding. Despite warnings and requests for surgical tools, Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly continued dissection amid the confusion. The patient suffered hemorrhaging and was pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts.
Following the operation, Dr. Shaknovsky told staff the cause of death was a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and requested that the removed organ be labeled as a spleen. However, a medical examiner found no evidence of such a rupture. The doctor has denied wrongdoing, claiming unusual anatomical variations contributed to the error.
Dr. Shaknovsky’s Medical History and Prior Incidents
Documents reveal a history of medical errors involving Dr. Shaknovsky. Two months before the fatal surgery, he reportedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland during an adrenalectomy, causing permanent harm. This incident led to the suspension of his Florida medical license in September 2024.
In Alabama, the medical board filed complaints after a 2023 surgery led to another patient’s death following an unauthorized bowel resection instead of the scheduled ileostomy. The Alabama board described him as a potential immediate danger and suspended his license, which he surrendered in November 2024. His New York medical license was suspended in 2025.
A spokesperson for Ascension Sacred Heart confirmed Dr. Shaknovsky was never employed by the hospital and has not practiced there since August 2024. He has not publicly responded to requests for comment on the indictment.
Why it matters
This case highlights serious concerns regarding surgical oversight, competence, and patient safety within medical facilities. The indictment underscores the importance of stringent credential verification and monitoring of healthcare professionals with repeated clinical errors. It also draws attention to the risks posed by atypical surgical decisions and the critical need for proper procedural documentation and communication during operations.
Background
Spleen removal surgeries are complex and can require surgeons to quickly adapt to unexpected complications. The hospital’s emergency application cited concerns about Dr. Shaknovsky’s qualifications and the decision to perform non-routine surgeries with minimal staff support. Prior disciplinary actions against this physician across multiple states reveal a pattern of surgical mistakes, raising questions about licensing and regulatory oversight adequacy in preventing harm.
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