In the event that a woman suffers from pelvic organ prolapse (POP), or a number of other traumatic injuries to the vaginal wall, doctors may suggest implanting a transvaginal mesh to strengthen and support the damaged area. Though the use of a transvaginal mesh may be effective, it does carry an increased risk of serious complications. Women who undergo surgery to have a transvaginal mesh implanted may experience episodes of bladder perforation and pelvic hemorrhaging.
In a recent study published in the New England Journalof Medicine, healthcare officials in Europe discovered that transvaginal mesh surgery was better at treating POP than actually stitching the connective tissue in the vaginal wall back together. However, the procedure is not without inherent risk. Many patients experience excessive pain during sex, new urinary incontinence, and a need for revision surgery.
Included in the European study were 389 women who had been treated for POP, a condition in which organs drop and push against the wall of the vagina after muscles holding them become weak or stretched. Out of the 389 women, 200 of them had received a transvaginal mesh implant. The others were treated with a standard colporrhaphy.
Researchers involved in the study found that after one year, about 61% of the women who were treated with a transvaginal mesh did not show the symptoms of prolapse where 34.5% of the women who received a colporrhaphy were symptom free. However, there were a number of potentially serious problems associated with the vaginal mesh. They including reports of inter-operative hemorrhaging. About 3.5% of women who received transvaginal mesh suffered a bladder perforation during the surgery, compared to only 0.5% of the women who received colporrhaphy. The rate of urinary incontinence was nearly doubled, with 12.3% for women who received a mesh experiencing the problem, compared with only 6.3% for a colporrhaphy. Researchers also found that 3.2% of the women who received the mesh required follow-up surgery to correct exposure problems.
Though these findings lend weight to the long-suspected link between transvaginal meshes and vaginal wall complications, they come at no surprise to the healthcare community. Complications regarding transvaginal mesh products manufactured by several different companies have triggered numerous product liability lawsuits filed by patients who have fallen victim to infections, erosion of the vaginal mesh and other painful complications. A number of plaintiffs have alleged that companies neglected to design a safe product or properly warn the public of the inherent risks that coincide.
In response to the adverse risks associated with transvaginal meshes, doctors felt the need to publicly express their concern about the apparent dangers. One in particular, Dr. Anne M. Weber, took it upon herself to write a letter to the editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology that acknowledged the lack of information available on transvaginal mesh surgeries. The absence of this information makes it impossible for patients to give informed consent and, therefore, all vaginal mesh surgery should be considered experimental.
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.
If you or a loved one was injured by a transvaginal mesh, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a transvaginal mesh lawsuit. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.