Adverse Effects Brought by the Use of Vaginal Mesh Implants

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) are surgically treated by a medical device called vaginal mesh; the use of this device is practiced by many urology and gynecology experts worldwide. To achieve higher success rates, various materials have been used to make these medical devices. The implantation of surgical mesh into the walls of the vagina is used in POP and SUI by reinforcing the support of the pelvic muscles to keep the pelvic organs attached in the right place. However, many negative reports have been received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lately. Based on the data sent to the FDA, vaginal mesh lawsuit.

As recorded, POP and SUI are common to almost 40% of the women population in the United States, and this number is sure to increase as the US population get older, because older women are more at risk to develop these disorders. Women who have low estrogen level like in menopause or those who had their uterus removed, develop these two weakening conditions fast. However, young women are no exception for these debilitating disorders; pregnancy and vaginal delivery are also seen as predisposing factors since it can induce a decreased muscle tone in the pelvic area.

Mesh erosion is the complication most frequently acquired by many patients who received mesh implants. It is considered as most dangerous since it can lead to other negative effects like the development of infections, pain, vaginal bleeding, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse, and malodorous vaginal discharges.

Infections caused by vaginal mesh procedure make reconstructive surgery for POP and SUI difficult or perhaps impossible. It can occur during the surgery while the implant is being inserted or during the recovery stage when the surgical wound is not fully healed. Symptoms that may signify the presence of infection include rejection of the mesh, pelvic dragging, pus-filled or bloody vaginal discharges, and induration of incision.

Bleeding can result both intra or post-operatively. During the operation when the medical instruments are not handled properly, it can cause bleeding complications despite vaginal mesh procedure being considered minimally invasive. After the procedure while the patient is in recovery stage, strenuous activities are discouraged as this can also contribute to the development of bleeding complications.

Since most of the composite materials of vaginal meshes available in the market do not offer a lasting repair, another major difficulty encountered after a vaginal mesh procedure is the high recurrence rate of approximately 30%. Once it recurs, reconstruction is hardly possible.

Relating to the appalling numbers of vaginal mesh recipients and the rising cases of negative events associated with vaginal mesh implants, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided the public with information on the safety of vaginal mesh products.

Going through vaginal mesh surgery can have a permanent negative effect on your life if you will consider it, so being aware of its negative consequences can be helpful to you or to someone important to you. Ask your doctor about the safety of this procedure and other treatment options for your Pelvic Organ Prolapse or Stress Urinary Incontinence. But if you are the same with those women who developed these awful complications through vaginal mesh surgery, you should know of your right for compensation by filing a vaginal mesh has led to different dangerous complications.