Transvaginal Mesh Side Effects
Transvaginal Mesh Side Effects- Serious
- Hemorrhaging
- Extreme pelvic pain caused by a shrinkage of the mesh
- Continuous pain or discomfort causing depression
- Infection of the kidney, urinary tract, or bladder
- Sepsis or other blood infections
- Perforation of the bladder, blood vessels or bowel during the surgery
- Recurrence of prolapse/incontinence or both
- Serious infection- confusion, painful urination, bloody urin, fever, cold feelings, abdominal aching or nausea
Transvaginal Mesh Side Effects- Common
- Painful urination
- Discomfort during sex
- Erosion of the transvaginal mesh
- Scarring of the vaginal tissue
- Tightening of the vagina
See our "
Warnings and Recalls" page for more details.
Since 2008, the FDA has received 2,874 adverse event reports of complications following surgery. Of these reports, 1,503 adverse event reports were associated with transvaginal implants used in Pelvic Organ Prolapse repair, and 1371 of the reports were associated with stress urinary incontinence repair.
Transvaginal mesh was designed to help women who were suffering from Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence, but instead it has shown to cause serious complications which have resulted in
vaginal mesh lawsuits.
Studies have shown that due to the nature of this surgery, surgeons placing Transvaginal mesh devices need more specialized training on using and implanting the device. Since there are serious complications and infections that can arise during the surgery and implantation of the device, transvaginal mesh can do more harm than good for many women. Due to the complications of vaginal mesh surgery the transvaginal mesh lawsuit is proceeding forward to assist those women who have been injured from the use of vaginal mesh.
If you believe you may be experiencing complications from vaginal mesh, transvaginal mesh, or mesh surgery(s) you may be eligible to be included in the vaginal mesh lawsuit. Timing is important, so protect your rights and call today (Many legal actions have a statute of limitations).
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are complications of the vaginal mesh surgery, give us a call or click the immediate assistance phone in the top right of this page. When you place your phone number in the area provided and click again, either one of our attorneys or our medical personnel will be with you usually within a minute.
Warnings & Recalls for Transvaginal Mesh
Complications With Transvaginal Mesh
On
June 13, 2011, the FDA released an
FDA Public health Notification stating that “Over the past three years, [the] FDA has received over
1,000 reports from nine surgical mesh manufacturers of complications that were associated with surgical mesh devices to repair POP [pelvic organ prolapse] and SUI [stress urinary incontinence.’’
The FDA alert concerning transvaginal mesh complications listed the following as the
most common complications:
- Erosion through the vaginal epithelium
- Infection
- Pain
- Urinary problems
- Recurrence of prolapse and/or incontinence
There were also occurrences of “bowel, bladder and blood vessel
perforation during the insertion.” In certain instances,
scarring of the vagina and
mesh erosion led to a significant
decrease in patient quality of life due to the unpleasantness of complications, including pain during sexual relations.
If you have encountered similar problems, please,
share your story by filling out our report a bad drug form. And, as always, if you fear that you are suffering from any complications or if you feel that you have unanswered questions about transvaginal mesh or pelvic organ prolapse,
ask your doctor or health care professional immediately.
Transvaginal Mesh Treatment and Use
Transvaginal Surgical Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
Transvaginal mesh is a surgical mesh that is implanted in the vagina to create a pelvic or bladder sling to reinforce the vaginal wall in order to to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Surgery for stress incontinence also utilizes a synthetic mesh material to keep the urethra closed. A pelvic organ prolapse (POP), or uterovaginal prolapse, is the displacement of the pelvic organs down into or out of the vagina. The different types of prolapse are as follows:
- The bladder pushes down from the upper vault of the vagina (cystocele)
- The rectum pushes up from the lower vaginal wall (rectocele)
- The top of the vagina prolapses down the vaginal canal.
What Causes Vaginal Prolapse or Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
Cystocele, rectocele, or other types of vaginal or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when supportive tissue between a woman’s bladder and vaginal wall becomes weakened and stretched. This causes the bladder to prolapse into the vagina. It’s caused by straining those muscles that are vital to keeping a woman’s pelvic organs in place. This straining of the pelvic muscles can occur if you’re giving birth, lifting something heavy, or even if you have a chronic cough!
For less severe cases of vaginal prolapse, simple exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor are utilized, such as kegels. Women’s Health has a great article called Kegel Exercises: A How To Guide For Women that provides an in-depth explanation of Kegels.
However, for very serious cases of pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, etc…), surgery, such as the use of vaginal surgical mesh, or transvaginal mesh is often prescribed.
Other Names for Transvaginal Mesh
Transvaginal mesh patches are commonly produced under brand names of Johnson & Johnson, Bard's and Ethicon. A few common brands include but are not limited to: Ethicon TVT, Gynecare Gynemesh, Secur, Prolene Polypropylene Mesh Patch, Align and PelviSoft® Biomesh.
Lawsuits & Legal Information for Transvaginal Mesh
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Updates
Current
Rescheduled: (August 2013) A lawsuit re-trial regarding Bard Avaulta mesh is rescheduled.
Multi-District Litigation: (May 2013) Over 8,500 Ethicon Mesh lawsuits have been consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation in the Southern District of West Virginia in May 2013.
Award: (March 2013) A female victim was awarded $11.1 million by Ethicon for physical and psychological damages that Johnson & Johnson (also Ethicon) mesh caused.
Trial: (Early 2013) A victim sued the company in 2013 stating that Bard was aware of the severe complications of the plastic used in the mesh, yet kept that information from doctors and patients.
Future
Trial: Bellwether trials for the mesh produced by Bard will begin in September of 2013.
Far Past
Award: (July 2012) The first lawsuit against Bard was won, with Bard awarding the plaintiff $5.5 million in damages caused by the transvaginal mesh.
FDA Order: (May 2012) The FDA orders transvaginal mesh manufacturers to conduct more safety studies on mesh products, as reports of complications arose among female patients.
Lawsuit: (2008) Victims began filing lawsuits involving transvaginal mesh implants against mesh manufacturers like Bard, American Medical Systems, Boston Scientific, Gynecare, Coloplast and Johnson & Johnson.
Far Future
Pretrial Order: (January 2014) Established for matters concerning the bellwether trials that also calls for a Pretrial Conference in January of 2014.