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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/08/hospital-recalls-women-who-had-pelvic-floor-surgery-using-mesh-bristol-trust
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| Hospital recalls women who had pelvic floor surgery using mesh | Hospital recalls women who had pelvic floor surgery using mesh |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| A hospital has called back nearly 200 patients who were given a controversial pelvic operation after concerns about complications. | A hospital has called back nearly 200 patients who were given a controversial pelvic operation after concerns about complications. |
| The move by North Bristol NHS trust follows the suspension of one of the UK’s leading surgeons, Anthony Dixon, who worked at Southmead hospital and the private Spire Bristol hospital, and is subject to a “fitness to practise” inquiry by the General Medical Council. The Guardian revealed last year that 100 women were considering legal action, claiming that pelvic operations performed by Dixon had left them with traumatic, life-altering complications. Some also said Dixon had made lewd or inappropriate comments during consultations. | The move by North Bristol NHS trust follows the suspension of one of the UK’s leading surgeons, Anthony Dixon, who worked at Southmead hospital and the private Spire Bristol hospital, and is subject to a “fitness to practise” inquiry by the General Medical Council. The Guardian revealed last year that 100 women were considering legal action, claiming that pelvic operations performed by Dixon had left them with traumatic, life-altering complications. Some also said Dixon had made lewd or inappropriate comments during consultations. |
| Scores of women say top UK surgeon left them with traumatic complications | Scores of women say top UK surgeon left them with traumatic complications |
| Many of the complaints related to a procedure pioneered by Dixon, called rectopexy. It involves using a surgical mesh to repair pelvic floor tissue weakened by childbirth. | Many of the complaints related to a procedure pioneered by Dixon, called rectopexy. It involves using a surgical mesh to repair pelvic floor tissue weakened by childbirth. |
| Now, the trust appears to have widened its investigation and has recalled all patients given the procedure, some of whom were operated on by surgeons other than Dixon. | Now, the trust appears to have widened its investigation and has recalled all patients given the procedure, some of whom were operated on by surgeons other than Dixon. |
| Separately, Avon and Somerset police confirmed that its own investigation would examine whether any criminal offence had been committed after being contacted by a former patient of Dixon. | Separately, Avon and Somerset police confirmed that its own investigation would examine whether any criminal offence had been committed after being contacted by a former patient of Dixon. |
| Christopher Burton, the medical director for North Bristol NHS trust, said: “We are continuing a detailed investigation into concerns about certain pelvic floor procedures performed to treat rectal prolapse and as part of this process we are writing to invite patients who have had similar surgery for an independent clinical review of their treatment.” | Christopher Burton, the medical director for North Bristol NHS trust, said: “We are continuing a detailed investigation into concerns about certain pelvic floor procedures performed to treat rectal prolapse and as part of this process we are writing to invite patients who have had similar surgery for an independent clinical review of their treatment.” |
| The trust has already been contacted by many patients via a phone helpline set up after Dixon’s suspension, some of whom have attended the hospital for a consultation. | The trust has already been contacted by many patients via a phone helpline set up after Dixon’s suspension, some of whom have attended the hospital for a consultation. |
| On Friday, the trust wrote to a further 198 patients who had undergone the rectopexy or similar procedures and who had not yet raised any concerns. The trust has invited these patients to an independent clinical review with an independent expert surgeon, who will assess if they are satisfied by the results of the surgery. | On Friday, the trust wrote to a further 198 patients who had undergone the rectopexy or similar procedures and who had not yet raised any concerns. The trust has invited these patients to an independent clinical review with an independent expert surgeon, who will assess if they are satisfied by the results of the surgery. |
| “We would like to reassure our patients that we are taking this matter very seriously,” said Burton. | “We would like to reassure our patients that we are taking this matter very seriously,” said Burton. |
| The case raises fresh concerns about the use of surgical mesh, after an admission by the government this year that the rapid adoption of vaginal mesh surgery to treat prolapse and urinary incontinence during the past decade had exposed women to unacceptable risks. According to the Pelvic Floor Society (PFS), 2.5% of women who have rectopexy surgery will suffer complications, but most will benefit. | The case raises fresh concerns about the use of surgical mesh, after an admission by the government this year that the rapid adoption of vaginal mesh surgery to treat prolapse and urinary incontinence during the past decade had exposed women to unacceptable risks. According to the Pelvic Floor Society (PFS), 2.5% of women who have rectopexy surgery will suffer complications, but most will benefit. |
| The trust did not say whether it had issued guidance to doctors not to perform any further rectopexies. | The trust did not say whether it had issued guidance to doctors not to perform any further rectopexies. |
| Madeleine Pinschof, of Thompsons Solicitors in Bristol, who is representing former patients of Dixon, said: “While we’re pleased to see steps being taken to investigate serious concerns regarding rectopexy mesh surgery ... at Southmead hospital, we urge the North Bristol NHS trust to stop performing mesh-related procedures immediately to minimise the risk of harm to other patients while they review the evidence.” | Madeleine Pinschof, of Thompsons Solicitors in Bristol, who is representing former patients of Dixon, said: “While we’re pleased to see steps being taken to investigate serious concerns regarding rectopexy mesh surgery ... at Southmead hospital, we urge the North Bristol NHS trust to stop performing mesh-related procedures immediately to minimise the risk of harm to other patients while they review the evidence.” |
| When contacted last year, Dixon said he was unable to comment on specific allegations owing to patient confidentiality, adding: “As with any surgical procedure, there may be complications but I would like to reassure patients that the overwhelming majority of operations I have completed have been successful.” | When contacted last year, Dixon said he was unable to comment on specific allegations owing to patient confidentiality, adding: “As with any surgical procedure, there may be complications but I would like to reassure patients that the overwhelming majority of operations I have completed have been successful.” |
| Patients who have concerns about pelvic floor procedures at Southmead hospital can contact our helpline on 0117 4140844 | Patients who have concerns about pelvic floor procedures at Southmead hospital can contact our helpline on 0117 4140844 |
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