Pelvic Mesh Problems
For decades, many women have complained of suffering associated with transvaginal mesh surgeries. In July 2011, after the FDA issued a Safety Communication, public information about the pain and suffering women had endured became known.
Subsequently, the FDA issued 131 orders to conduct post market surveillance studies (“522 orders”) to 34 manufacturers of surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP. Most manufacturers elected to stop marketing surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP after receiving orders. Many of the transvaginal implants are still on the market and being implanted today. A few of the FAQs are:
What are the problems associated with Transvaginal Mesh?
Problems include:
- mesh erosion into the tissues,
- extrusion of the mesh,
- mesh contracture or shrinkage,
- bladder spasms or dysfunction,
- pudendal/obturator nerve damage,
- infection and abscess,
- bacteria colonization,
- perforation of organs,
- inflammation and foreign body response,
- bleeding,
- hematoma,
- pain on intercourse,
- continued bladder leaking or incontinence,
- scarring requiring additional surgeries, and
- other health issues.
What is Transvaginal Mesh?
Transvaginal Mesh is an implant used in surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Mesh is permanently implanted to reinforce the weakened vaginal wall for POP repair or to support the urethra or bladder neck for the repair of SUI.
What surgeries use Transvaginal Mesh?
Mesh is used in surgeries to treat bladder leaking or urinary incontinence (SUI). The mesh is sometimes referred to as a tape or sling or hammock and will be listed in the medical record as:
- tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) ,
- transobturator tape (TOT),
- bladder slings,
- bladder tac,
- pubovaginal (PV) sling,
- midurethral sling.
Mesh is also used to treat uterine prolapse (enterocoele), bladder prolapse (cystocele) or rectal prolapse (rectocele), anterior or posterior prolapse,. The surgeries that may use mesh are referred to as:
- anterior vaginal repair,
- or posterior vaginal repair,
- pelvic organ prolapse repair,
- colpopexy,
- sacropolpexy,
- colorrhaphy.
The mesh may be used in conjunction with other urogynecologic procedures, such as, hysterectomies and laparoscopic pelvic procedures.
How do I know if I have Transvaginal Mesh implanted?
Mesh implantation evidence should be found in the Operative Report dictated by the surgeon after the procedure is performed. The surgeon’s office and the hospital or facility where the operation was performed will each have a copy of the Operative Report and you can order it from them. Do not rely on any health care workers’ memory as they must produce written product identification of the mesh.
Do I have a Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit?
Contact us for a free consultation 1-800-814-4540 or email carolyn@carolynstclair.com so we can assist you. There are deadlines that can limit the time you have for filing claims, so contact us posthaste.
