Mr Mario Teo

Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

I am a 59 year old male with a background in the military and the police and as an instructor/trainer/assessor. I have been retired for the last 5 years. I’ve always kept reasonably fit, so when lockdown came in March 2020 I decided to use my garage as a gym and do a daily 25 minutes exercise routine, with a rest day on Saturday and a 25 minute stretch exercise on Sunday. I also cycle regularly. I became aware that my balance on one or other foot was not correct and I was losing the ability to complete my sentences and think of particular words to complete those sentences. On the 20th July I started a new exercise routine, however on the second day I had a headache, chest pains and generally felt unwell. I put this down to the new exercise routine and took ibuprofen and paracetamol on a daily basis. On 28th July I was conscious that my right heel was scuffing the ground as I walked my dog. Therefore I stopped doing the exercise routine and concentrated on cycling instead. I went on a cycle ride every other day. On 7th August I contacted my local GP’s surgery, Dr Imre Szalontai phoned back, and I explained my symptoms; • Dragging right leg. • Pains in the left side of my chest. • Difficultly with balance, especially on my right leg. • Difficulties with word formation and sentence completion. • Headaches. He asked me to visit the surgery for an appointment at 4.15pm. He carried out some tests, typed onto his computer, gave me an envelope, told me he suspected a tumour and to go to A&E immediately, which my wife and I did. We got to A&E and booked in. I had a CT scan, which later confirmed that I had a tumour of the meningioma (lining of the brain). It was the size of a satsuma, probably benign and very slow growing. It had probably been growing over the last 20 years. On the Sunday morning I was transferred to Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Southmead is the regional neurosciences institute. The following morning I had an MRI scan which confirmed the earlier diagnosis. After a consultation with a neurosurgeon, namely Mr Mario Teo, I elected to undergo a surgical procedure which involved removing the tumour. I was discharged later that day with a view to being contacted by the operating theatre team later. On Thursday 3rd September 2020 I received a phone call from Southmead Hospital, stating I was to report to the hospital on Sunday 6th September for tumour removal surgery on the 7th. I was also informed that I would need a coronavirus test prior to then at the local hospital, which I did and it was negative. On Sunday 6th September 2020 I was admitted to Southmead Hospital, and the next morning I entered the operating theatre in order to undergo surgery to remove the tumour. The neuro-surgery team led by Mr Mario Teo used a general anaesthetic and then operated for 17 hours (9.30am – 2.30am) to remove the tumour. I did not have my head shaved! First they clamped my head, I’m not sure what they used, but it was uncomfortable for weeks afterwards. They then made a horseshoe-shaped incision on the top of my scalp and rolled the skin back. A hole was then made in my skull. Removal of the tumour followed, this was the most difficult part of the operation as there were many blood vessels connecting my brain and the tumour. During the operation and whilst in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) I received three blood transfusions, as I had lost a lot of blood. After the operation I went into the ICU where I was attached to cannulas’, endotracheal tube (which was very uncomfortable) and monitored by nursing staff every hour (blood pressure, temperature, pupil reaction to light etc). My wife visited a few hours after the operation and on the Wednesday 9th, she later told me that I was thrashing around so much, and trying to remove the tube that was down my throat that I had a soft ‘boxing glove’ fitted to my left hand as a preventative measure to stop me removing the endotracheal tube. I was aware that on the Thursday 10th at midday I had the tube removed leaving a nasopharyngeal tube in my nose, I was still being sedated. Every time I closed my eyes I had hallucinations, seeing dragons, snakes and fluffy clouds, hopefully as a result of the anaesthetic! I started to eat solid food. I was very weak and couldn’t move my right foot for a couple of days, I tried to go to the toilet by myself, but in slow-motion my legs gave-way. Everybody said I was overdoing it! I was on a daily dose of the following medication; • Dexamethasone (a steroids to prevent swelling) • Omeprazole (stomach settling tablets) • Levetiracetam (anti-fit tablets) • Morphine (pain relief) • Paracetamol (as required for pain relief) • Numerous injections etc to draw blood samples, medication delivery, etc. The physiotherapists came to take me for walks (with a surgical mask on when outside of my cubicle) but the first time they took me out I struggled to make it around the ICU department. On Friday 11th September I had the NG airway and cannulas removed. The next day, with the permission of the nursing staff, my wife took me for a shower, I used a shower chair. The same day the staff tried and failed seven times to get blood from me!!! Sunday 13th I was transferred to a ward (gate 6b) a single room within the ward complex, and a member of staff finally managed (on the second attempt) to get some blood from me. I’ve always been told I’m difficult to get blood from (it’s where the old saying ‘you can’t get blood from a stone’ comes from!!!). Between Monday 14th and Wednesday 16th the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists visited me, assessed me and gave me tasks to do the following; • PT’s gave me some physical exercises to do whilst stationary. • OT’s took me for walks along the corridor and stairs although I was a little unbalanced at first I improved as the days went along. • SaLT gave me speech, comprehension and written assessments. I struggled with these especially speech, expression and reasoning. My thanks go to Mr Mario Teo and the rest of the team. Without his competent and skillful surgery, his leadership of a great team and the back-up of a wonderful group of nurses I undoubtedly would have died an early death.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

I was referred to Mr Tao after an MRI scan revealed that a tumour was causing my severe facial pain. Mr Tao took time to carefully explain all the options and answered all my questions, thoroughly, however trivial, with kindness and patience. I opted for surgery as the optimum solution. My care at Southmead from arrival to discharge was more than excellent . At my follow up appointment, Mr Tao reassured me about my prognosis and I am now fully recovered. Thank you Mr Tao and his team for everything. I am so grateful to you all.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

I didn't have a great deal of contact with Dr Teo but he clearly performed or supervised what to me anyway appears to have been a fairly complicated and serious operation with great care and skill for which I am very thankful. I would perhaps suggest the clinical problems be explained if possible using more "laymen's" language, as the medical terms used especially in conversation are a bit meaningless and to be honest daunting. At least they were to me! I'm sure the medical terms are totally normal in the profession but for someone who has never heard them before , a bit meaningless. I appreciate it may be not possible to find suitable common use words to explain what is clearly a complex situation but it might be something to consider. I was a bit surprised it was virtually 3 months between leaving hospital and the follow up consultation. That is quite a long time to be wondering if all is going ok - especially after having what I am led to believe is sort of a stroke and the subsequent operation wound from ear to ear. Perhaps this is aggravated by the Covid situation which is understandable. Having said that, Dr Teo was very considerate and helpful at yesterday's (19/11/20) review and I would like to thank him and everyone else involved for the excellent care and treatment provided.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

Mr Teo was kind, gentle, but clear as he explained my condition and the surgery I needed. At all times, he listened to my viewpoint and answered my questions. Following my long surgery, Mr Teo and his registrar, saw me in ICU before I went home the following day (after 4 nights in hospital. The advances in this field are miraculous). I spoke a week later with the registrar when she gave me the result of the histology). I hope never to need more neurosurgery but I would no hesitate if Mr Teo recommended it. Thank you, Mario, very much.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

Back in 2019 I had an AVM (bleed to my brain) I was fortunate enough that I had a surgeon like Mr. Mario Teo who fixed me. Mr. Teo successfully removed the AVM and the blood clot from my brain.I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for me. The first day when I seen Mr. Teo to talk about my options of getting rid of the AVM he was calm and listened to everything I had to ask, he explained every option with fine detail which made me feel more at ease, I was extremely nervous as you can probably imagine but I felt very reassured by Mr. Teo. He’s a true gentleman and again I can’t thank you enough Mr. Teo and your wonderful team because your team was amazing too. I want to thank everybody from Southmead hospital because everyone was brilliant to me, very friendly and caring.

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