What is Transvaginal Mesh Erosion?
When a woman finds herself suffering from a severe case of either stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a surgical procedure involving the use of a "bladder sling" or "surgical mesh" may be performed. These surgeries consist of inserting a "sling" to support the urethra and raise it into its higher normal position, which alleviates the corresponding pressure on the bladder. Unfortunately, the FDA has branded this type of surgery as having a higher risk of complications without any corresponding benefits in results. The complications occurring as a result of mesh erosion can be severely debilitating and have resulted in many lawsuits being filed against the companies producing these defective and potentially harmful devices.
The FDA's review stated that the most common problem with transvaginal mesh implantation is mesh erosion. Mesh erosion may require multiple surgeries to fix and can be severely debilitating for some women. In some cases the transvaginal mesh, bladder sling or ObTape has mesh erosion into the bladder and uterus walls In certain situations, even multiple surgeries to correct the mesh erosion caused by vaginal mesh implantation may not resolve the vaginal mesh complications.
Complications for Vaginal Mesh Implantation & Mesh Erosion
Back in October of 2008, the FDA Public Health service made an announcement regarding some possible health complications for vaginal mesh implantation. (See: FDA Mesh Erosion Alert 2008) They determined that in "rare" cases vaginal mesh implants may worsen over time and lead to vaginal mesh erosion. This vaginal mesh erosion can lead to numerous uncomfortable and painful side effects. The FDA's initial warning said that these vaginal mesh complications only occurred rarely, but then in 2011 they decided to revise their statement to say that such mesh-erosion vaginal mesh complications are "not rare."
The FDA's original vaginal mesh data came from receiving approximately 1000 complaints from 2005-2007 regarding vaginal mesh complications. Then, from 2008-2010 they received almost 3000 complaints about mesh erosion and similar vaginal mesh complications. Clearly, there have been increasing incidences of people suffering from mesh erosion due to vaginal mesh implants.
Types of Mesh Erosion Complications
Mesh erosion occurs when the components of the bladder sling are not accepted by the surrounding tissues in the body; in essence, the mesh is trying to expel itself from the body through the vaginal walls. This complication is also referred to as mesh extrusion, mesh exposure, and mesh protrusion; needless to say it is an extremely painful experience and the most frequently reported mesh related injury. Mesh erosion requires an invasive surgery for the removal of the mesh, and sometimes even multiple surgeries can never fully correct mesh erosion.
Devices Linked to Mesh Erosion Complications
The following companies and products have all been linked to mesh erosion complications:
American Medical Systems: Apogee, BioArc, Elevate, In-Fast, MiniArc, Monarc, Perigree, SPARC
Boston Scientific: Advantage Sling System, Arise, Lynx, Obtryx Curved Single, Obtryx Mesh Sling, Pinnacle, Prefyx Mid U Mesh Sling System, Prefyx PPS System, Solyx, C. R. Bard: Avaulta Plus BioSynthetic Support Avaulta Solo Synthetic Support, Faslata Allograft, Pelvicol Tissue, PelviSoft Biomesh, Pelvitex Polypropylene Mesh, Johnson & Johnson: Ethicon TVT, Gynecare Prolift, Gynecare Prosima, Gynecare TVT, Gynemesh PS.
File a Mesh Erosion Lawsuit: Talk to a Lawyer Today
If you have been treated with transvaginal surgical mesh or mesh bladder sling and experienced mesh erosion or any other complication, you may have a legal entitlement to financial compensation through a mesh erosion lawsuit. Call the Willis Law Firm today to have your potential mesh erosion claim evaluated free of charge and free of obligation. Our firm has female consultants standing by ready to discuss these sensitive issues in total confidence. We are currently reviewing mesh erosion cases nationwide and on a contingency fee basis; no legal fees will be billed unless a successful recovery is made.
We have female consultants standing by, trained to discuss sensitive issues confidentially. We are currently accepting Transvaginal Mesh Injuries lawsuits nationwide. All cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis (no attorney's fees or expenses charged unless we recover for you).
