Tony Dixon: Tribunal rules after Bristol surgeon left women in agony

A surgeon who left patients in “agony” made a series of failings, a court found.

Bristol surgeon Tony Dixon, who used artificial mesh to treat prolapsed bowels, failed to obtain informed consent, adequately investigate symptoms and failed to try alternative treatment methods, a report said.

The General Medical Council (GMC) brought the case against Mr Dixon, who treated more than 200 patients at Southmead and Spire Hospital.

Mr Dixon denies all allegations and maintains the procedures were carried out in good faith and any surgery can lead to complications.

Reports made from 2010 to 2016 were considered as part of the tribunal, run by the Doctors’ Tribunal Service.

Two years ago, a review by Southmead Hospital found that 203 mesh operations carried out by Mr Dixon were deemed unnecessary and non-surgical treatments should have been offered.

Mr Dixon used a technique known as a mesh rectopexy to treat the bowel problems.

Through the procedure, mesh implants are placed in the body to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence in women — both conditions that can occur after childbirth.

The mesh, which is usually made of synthetic polypropylene, is intended to repair damaged or weakened tissue.

Sam Van Der Heijden, from Hastings, East Sussex, was treated by Mr Dixon at Spire Hospital in 2011.

The tribunal found that he had carried out a manual examination for rectal prolapse without the attendant present, before failing to properly inform her of the risks of an operation which had been carried out to address problems arising from her initial procedure.

Ms Van Der Heijden said: “Because he was the so-called expert, I agreed.

“For a few months I was fine, but then it got worse.”

Mr Dixon told Ms Van Der Heijden her colon was “dead”, prompting another major surgery to remove it.

He now lives with a stoma bag and has developed pancreatic insufficiency as well as bile acid malabsorption.

“My health is (not) and will never be the same again,” Ms Van Der Heijden said.

“It’s had a really bad effect on my whole system – I’m constantly exhausted, dehydrated, not absorbing properly… the list goes on.”

She described Mr Dixon as a “very cruel man” with “no compassion” and “no empathy” for his patients.

Jennifer Hill, from Bristol, was also left with lifelong pain and stomach problems after undergoing surgery at Spire Hospital.

The procedure was performed in 2012 to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

She told the BBC: “It was soul destroying. I was in extreme pain.

“I always had diarrhoea, I was constantly bloated and too stupid to think about anything. I was left with pain and flatulence which he completely removed after the operation.”

The tribunal also found that Mr Dixon made inappropriate references to Mrs Hill’s sex life to her husband.

“I still have nightmares, I still kick myself for believing him,” she added.