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Problems With Transvaginal Surgical Mesh

Transvaginal surgical mesh procedures have become problematic.

These procedures include implanting a synthetic or biological material in order to repair weakened or damaged tissue and organs, often in a woman’s pelvic area. The diagnosis is typically referred to as pelvic organ prolapse (“POP”), or stress urinary incontinence (“SUI”).

In 2008, the FDA issued a Public Health Notification to alert physicians about the serious complications linked to transvaginal surgical mesh procedures. Although these transvaginal mesh procedures were designed to repair pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, they have had life-altering effects on many unsuspecting women.

Between 2008 and 2010, the most common transvaginal mesh complications included pain, infection, urinary problems, bleeding, organ perforation, nuero-muscular problems, vaginal scarring/shrinkage, as well as sexual and emotional problems. Among the most unfortunate complications resulted in death.

“MESH ASSOCIATED COMPLICATIONS ARE NOT RARE”

In 2011, the FDA issued an updated alert that included some eye-opening issues. For example, a compilation of studies showed that, among almost 12,000 women who had transvaginal mesh procedure, about 10% of them experienced mesh erosion within one year of surgery.

Vaginal mesh erosion, also called extrusion, is when the surgical mesh erodes through the skin and tissues, and subsequently becomes exposed. So for many of these innocent women, the consequence is multiple surgeries that may only attempt to solve the problem; surgical mesh removal often results in continued pain.

ARE MESH-RELATED SURGERIES REALLY EFFECTIVE?

Adding to the problem is FDA data demonstrating a lack of improved clinical benefit over traditional non-mesh related procedures. Specifically, those who proceeded with traditional non-mesh pelvic organ prolapse repair witnessed the same improvement in their quality of life as those who proceeded with a mesh related procedure.

And this leads to a stunning FDA conclusion: In most situations, pelvic organ prolapse can be approached successfully without the risks associated with mesh-related surgeries.

WE CAN HELP

If you or a loved one has been implanted with transvaginal mesh or a sling, contact Ben Martin Law Group at (214) 761-6614, or contact us, for a free initial consultation. We are a small firm that offers immediate answers and big results, all with no obligation. Call today. If you wait too long to contact our office, you may be barred from recovering from your injuries under your state’s statute of limitations.