# Man dies from "splenectomy" where they removed his LIVER instead! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 6, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842 "2024-09-06T02:06:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/121 "2024-10-07T02:49:39Z")
And I just hit refresh and it now does require an account. Evidently, one gets a grand total of one free article. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/122 "2024-10-07T02:56:20Z")
My DO gave me an “adjustment” when I had some back trouble. He basically rolled me from side to side with his elbows, and it did work. But it was on my back, for my back, and not, for instance, an sinus infection. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/123 "2024-10-07T03:36:54Z")
Did you get the “Kirksville Crunch”? (Named after a prominent school of Osteopathy.) It looks like someone’s being wrestled into submission by a chiropractic gorilla. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/124 "2024-10-07T03:54:29Z")
He did go to Still University, but I don’t remember what, if anything, he called it. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/125 "2024-10-07T15:16:08Z")
> [@Pazu](#): > > More details on the unfortunate event. That article starts off the following way: > The Florida Department of Health has suspended the license of Thomas Shaknovsky, DO, who removed a patient’s liver instead of his spleen, contributing to his death. I mean, sure, he contributed to the patient’s death the way that decapitating a person contributes to their death. Also, per the surgeon: > He then discovered a splenic artery aneurysm that ruptured, leading to significant blood loss – _but said he went on to remove the spleen, even though it was enlarged and deformed_. Sort of like when you hear a noise outside at night and see an “enlarged and deformed coyote” that you shoot with a shotgun to clear a pest animal and protect your livestock, when police later arrest you for shooting and murdering a teenaged kid out for a walk. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/126 "2024-10-07T22:04:05Z")
I think this is the best line from @Pazu’s cite: > During an autopsy, the medical examiner confirmed the spleen was still in place, but the liver was still missing, “The liver was still missing”. Hmmm. As if they have a habit of spontaneously reappearing in dead people. The word “still” also suggests the ME was tipped off by somebody to expect to find it gone. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/127 "2024-10-07T22:15:47Z")
I guess they could have shoved it back in when the guy died? “All organs accounted for. Liver found upside down and disconnected” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/128 "2024-10-07T22:30:58Z")
> **[The Far Side - Surgery](https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-sitka-sentinel-the-far-side-surg/926901/?locale=en-US)** > > Clipping found in Daily Sitka Sentinel published in Sitka, Alaska on 11/28/1986. The Far Side - Surgery ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/129 "2024-10-07T22:40:28Z")
When my cousin had his first kidney transplant (his dad, my uncle, was the donor), when the vessels were connected to perfuse the organ, the ureter started spraying urine all over the operative field. Apparently that’s not uncommon; it came out of a body that had normal function, and was put in my cousin and went, “Whoa, what’s going on here? I’ve got work to do!” They then clamped the vessels and connected up the ureter. I also used to have a neighbor whose sister had died from a brain tumor, and their daughter told me that it just fell out, attached to a blood supply, when her skull was opened the first time. I didn’t believe it until I heard it from the parents. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/130 "2026-04-14T23:28:07Z")
The doctor responsible for this [was indicted today](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-doctor-indicted-allegedly-removing-patients-liver-instead-sple-rcna331696) for second-degree manslaughter. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/131 "2026-04-14T23:37:22Z")
Huh. That’s a long time for an indictment. Isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/132 "2026-04-15T00:23:08Z")
I have no idea if that long is unusual. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/133 "2026-04-15T00:33:19Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > That’s a long time for an indictment. Isn’t it? No, an indictment usually waits for an investigation which typically takes months, and can easily take over a year (as it did here). This is discussing involuntary manslaughter, but I think it’s close enough if not the same thing (as death due to medical negligence is given as an example): > **[Involuntary Manslaughter in Florida | Criminal Negligence](https://criminaljusticeflorida.com/involuntary-manslaughter-in-florida/)** > > Involuntary manslaughter in Florida involves an unintentional death due to criminal negligence. Understand the definition, and defenses. > **How long do involuntary manslaughter investigations take?** > > Typically 6-18 months for complete investigation, forensic analysis, and grand jury proceedings. So this seems not at all out of the ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/134 "2026-04-15T14:01:38Z")
A recently published photo of the doctor in question sheds some light on the matter… [![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/enfuturama/images/1/17/Zoidberg.png/revision/latest?cb=20221005104538) ](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/enfuturama/images/1/17/Zoidberg.png/revision/latest?cb=20221005104538) ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/135 "2026-04-15T14:03:36Z")
@Frodo your pic didn’t come out right, got a generic icon. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/136 "2026-04-15T15:20:50Z")
[Gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/us/florida-surgeon-manslaughter-organ-removal.html?unlocked_article_code=1.bFA.Ptq3.ZYSwBEAOu2YR&smid=url-share) to a New York Times article on the indictment. It says, “Dr. Shaknovsky began the procedure as a laparoscopy but switched to open surgery because he could not clearly see the organs, having failed to document that Mr. Bryan had a distended colon that would have partly obstructed the view, according to the Health Department.” The article also says the patient was hemorrhaging a lot and the blood obscured everything. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/137 "2026-04-15T15:42:04Z")
> [@](#): > > The Health Department noted in its report that, in addition to being on different sides of the abdomen, “spleens and livers are anatomically distinct, have different consistencies, and are different colors. Knowing the Florida Health Department, someone had to look that up. > [@](#): > > Joseph A. Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general, suspended Dr. Shaknovsky’s medical license one month after Mr. Bryan’s death. Knowing Ladapo, it’s surprising he didn’t nominate the surgeon for an award. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/138 "2026-04-15T15:49:30Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > @Frodo your pic didn’t come out right, got a generic icon. I bet this is @Frodo’s intended link: [![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/enfuturama/images/1/17/Zoidberg.png) ](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/enfuturama/images/1/17/Zoidberg.png) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/139 "2026-04-15T15:50:32Z")
It is, but both images show up for me. 🫤 ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842/140 "2026-04-15T16:14:53Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vo2v1CBooSA/maxresdefault.jpg "Dr. Nick Attempts to Do Surgery") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo2v1CBooSA) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-from-splenectomy-where-they-removed-his-liver-instead/1006842.md?page=8)