Transvaginal mesh patches are used to treat patients suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition in which an individual’s organs can no longer be supported and held in place by surrounding tissues, so these organs begin to descend, or prolapse into the vaginal area, causing an enormous amount of pain and discomfort. Transvaginal mesh has also been used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which is a condition involving the release of urine when an individual is active, for example, during exercise or a fit of coughing or sneezing.
According to research conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no significant superior benefit to the use of transvaginal mesh implantation in the treatment of POP or SUI. As a result, it is believed that transvaginal mesh, with its evident ability to critically harm the health of an individual, be taken into serious consideration before being used to treat a patient with POP, SUI, or other vaginal tissue conditions requiring anatomical reconstruction.
Moreover, in its study of the transvaginal placement of mesh, the FDA observed that problems induced by transvaginal mesh are a common occurrence. Health complications from transvaginal mesh are on the rise, and in 2010 alone, 100,000 operations were using surgical mesh implants, of which 75,000 involved transvaginal placement of surgical mesh.
There are a number of medical complications that have been documented in patients after their urogynecology operation involving transvaginal placement of surgical mesh. Patients have noticed that the surgical mesh erodes and exits the body via the vagina. This medical complication also goes by transvaginal mesh exposure, extrusion, or protrusion.
General vaginal area pain, especially pain during sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia, is commonly observed by patients who have transvaginal mesh implants. There have also been reports of infection, bleeding, organ perforation, and trouble urinating. Moreover, some patients experienced further trouble with their POP condition, sometimes experiencing another painful prolapse episode.
Patients have also noticed neuro-muscular difficulties, vaginal scarring and vaginal shrinkage, and psychological trauma. It has become clear that when patients experience the above medical issues as a result of transvaginal mesh placement, they require urogynecologic surgery, medical treatment, hospitalization, and physical and psychological therapy.
If you or someone you love has undergone an urogynecologic operation and received a transvaginal placement of surgical mesh, and you or your loved one has since experienced any of the medical and emotional complications outlined above, compensation is due. Seek justice for falling victim to medical device manufacturer’s distribution and marketing of a defective medical product.
For expert legal counsel and representation in a medical device product liability lawsuit against manufacturers of transvaginal surgical mesh, contact a highly experienced defective medical device attorney at Carey Danis & Lowe. Our attorneys can help you get the justice you deserve.
Common Transvaginal Mesh Complications:
- Mesh erosion through the vagina, which is also called exposure, extrusion, or protrusion, results when the mesh implants.
- Pain (including sexual intercourse) can be caused when the mesh begins to erode or contract – causing severe pelvic pain.
- Infections – including becoming septic.
- Bleeding – which may include vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Recurrence of Prolapse – which occurs when the mesh implant is unsuccessful, and the pelvic organs again drop.
- Incontinence – referring to bladder problems.
- Vaginal wall scarring or shrinkage as a result of the surgical procedure.
FDA Transvaginal Mesh Update