Transvaginal Mesh

Trasvaginal mesh is usualy made of plastic called polypropylene.  The term “transvaginal” refers to the type of surgical technique used to implant the mesh – through the vagina.

This type of surgical mesh was created to permanently fix pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).  These conditions typically plague women after a hysterectomy, menopause or childbirth.  Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a woman’s pelvic muscles weaken and the pelvic organs, including the bladder, rectum and uterus drop into the vagina.

Doctors can surgically place the mesh transvaginally or abdominally, but inserting the mesh through the vagina is quicker, easier and less invasive.

These products were created to help women suffering from SUI and POP, not all of them are safe and reliable.  The design and manufacturer recommended implantation technique of some of these transvaginal mesh products contributed to serious complications such as infection, erosion of the vaginal tissues and organ perforation.

According to reports, TVM doesn’t work because it is not designed to accommodate the motion of the pelvis, and is ill suited to pelvic motions associated with digestion or sex.  As a result, tissues and nerves become inflamed, and it is reported that there could be a fibrotic reaction to the mesh.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that the most common side effects associated with transvaginal mesh may include:

• Mesh erosion through the vagina (exposure, extrusion or protrusion)
• Pain
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Organ perforation
• Urinary problems
• Recurrent prolapse
• Neuro-muscular problems
• Vaginal scarring/shrinkage
• Emotional problems

Many of these conditions involve painful remedies, including intensive medical treatment, surgery and hospitalization.  Complications may require multiple surgeries and even then, some conditions may not be treatable.

Hundreds of women have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of surgical mesh. If you have suffered injury or complications from a transvaginal mesh procedure, contact the product liability attorneys at SL Chapman today at 800-550-2106 for a free legal consultation and review of your case.

If you received transvaginal mesh surgery and sustained injuries, the product manufacturer may be liable for pain and suffering, lost wages and past and future medical expenses.  There are several transvaginal mesh manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson, C.R. Bard, Tyco Covidian, Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems, Caldera, Ethicon, Gynecare, Mentor and Sofradim.

In 2011, the FDA reported that it had received 4,000 reports of complications related to transvaginal mesh in the previous six years.  The agency previously reported in 2008 that complications from transvaginal mesh used for surgical treatment of POP were rare, but in 2011 it updated its statement and warned patients and doctors that they are not rare.

According to the FDA the nature of the problem is this:

“Over the past three years, FDA has received over 1,000 reports from nine surgical mesh manufacturers of complications that were associated with surgical mesh devices used to repair POP and SUI.  These mesh devices are usually placed transvaginally utilizing tools for minimally invasive placement.

The most frequent complications included erosion through vaginal epithelium, infection, pain, urinary problems, and recurrence of prolapse and/or incontinence.  There were also reports of bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforation during insertion.  In some cases, vaginal scarring and mesh erosion led to a significant decrease in patient quality of life due to discomfort and pain, including dyspareunia.

Treatment of the various types of complications included additional surgical procedures (some of them to remove the mesh), IV therapy, blood transfusions, and drainage of hematomas or abscesses.

Specific characteristics of patients at increased risk for complications have not been determined.  Contributing factors may include the overall health of the patient, the mesh material, the size and shape of the mesh, the surgical technique used, concomitant procedures undertaken (e.g. hysterectomy), and possibly estrogen status.”

At SL Chapman, we understand that the damages you have suffered or will be caused to endure as a result of defective TVM far exceed the costs of replacement, and we will work to obtain the maximum award provided for under the law.  Contact the experienced lawyers at SL CHapman today for a free initial consultation.