Transvaginal Mesh Complications

Concerns regarding the use of transvaginal mesh products continue to mount within the healthcare community. Intended to provide additional support to weakened or injured vaginal tissue, transvaginal mesh may serve as a viable option in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) after pregnancy. However, recent studies suggest that transvaginal mesh products are relatively ineffective and coincide with too many complications to be considered a safe form of treatment. Transvaginal mesh complications include pain and suffering in the form of infection, urinary problems and numerous post-surgical complications. In many cases, the erosion of the surgical mesh may actually be responsible for the reoccurrence of the injuries it was intended to treat.

If you or a loved one has been injured by transvaginal mesh complications, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.

Transvaginal Mesh Complications Overview

In the event that a woman severely injures or weakens her vaginal tissue, catastrophic complications may ensue. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and childbirth are all common contributers to damaged vaginal walls. Damage sustained from complications like these, and many others, may prove to be extremely painful and irritating.

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and ligaments supporting a woman’s pelvic organs weaken. As a result, the pelvic organs may slip out of place (prolapse), causing intense pain and discomfort. In a related complication, stress urinary incontinence is characterized by poor functioning muscles that are in charge of supporting the bladder or controlling the release of urine. When the muscles supporting the bladder are weak, pressure can prematurely trigger urine release. Problems with the valves themselves may have the same effect.

In disorders such as these, regarding weakened pelvic or vaginal muscles, symptoms may severely interfere with a woman’s quality of life. In the event that a women is diagnosed with POP, SUI or any injury related to vaginal walls, doctors may surgically implant a transvaginal mesh to provide support for the damaged tissue. The operation replaces the damaged or defective tissue with a surgical mesh that provides support for the urethra.

Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that women who receive a mesh may significantly increase their risk of suffering from a number of transvaginal mesh complications. In many situations, the side effects are linked to the erosion of the surgical mesh, which has an increased tendency to erode into the vaginal wall, bladder, and bowel tissues. As a result, women who have received a transvaginal mesh may increase their risk of experiencing severe pain and suffering in the form of infection, urinary problems and numerous post-surgical complications. In many cases, the erosion of transvaginal mesh may actually be responsible for the reoccurrence of the injuries it was intended to treat. In the event that erosion occurs, women may be forced to undergo costly and painful revision surgery in an attempt to fix the problem created by the mesh device. Due to the severity of these transvaginal mesh complications, women may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential lawsuit.

Causes of Transvaginal Vaginal Mesh Complications

Transvaginal mesh complications include the following:

• Erosion of mesh
• Mesh contraction
• Mesh migration
• Mesh exposure
• Formation of scar tissue
• Granuloma formation

Reports of Transvaginal Mesh Complications

According to a study released by the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada (JOGC), the surgical application of transvaginal mesh procedures should be considered experimental. Because the relative effectiveness of vaginal mesh is widely unknown, many healthcare providers believe that there are safer alternatives to treating complications such as pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence.

Between 2005 and 2010, an estimated 3,875 injuries were reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each of which regarded the placement of a transvaginal mesh device. As a result, the FDA warned patients and the healthcare community of the risks associated with the use of transvaginal mesh products. Contained in the same warning was a recommendation to consider alternative treatments in respect to Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

The August 2010 issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology contained an article in which studies acknowledged the dangers associated with transvaginal mesh complications. The article discusses alternative actions that were taken by researchers to protect the health of patients involved in the trial. According to the article, researchers were forced to halt a clinical trial, due to the inherent dangers of transvaginal mesh complications. The 2007 trial consisted of 65 women who had been officially diagnosed with symptoms of prolapse. Each of the women involved in the trial either had a transvaginal mesh implanted or underwent a procedure known as colpopexy.  After two years, the trial was prohibited from continuing any further because of the adverse effects that were taking place. Researchers discovered that over 15% of women who had received a mesh suffered from dangerous transvaginal mesh complications within a period of only three months from vaginal mesh erosion.

Do I Have a Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit?

The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in transvaginal mesh lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by a transvaginal mesh complications, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free (877) 512-1746. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.