Jacksonville Transvaginal Mesh Failure Lawyers
Transvaginal Mesh Failure
Transvaginal mesh implants are a product used to correct pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women who have these conditions. Both conditions are caused by a weakening of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the lower abdomen. They are more common in women who have given birth to multiple children and women who are past menopause. The purpose of transvaginal mesh implants was to support the pelvic organs, alleviating pain, bowel problems, and incontinence.
In recent years, however, thousands of patients who received transvaginal mesh implants have suffered serious side effects from transvaginal mesh failures. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that it received 3,874 complaints of serious complications related to the failure of transvaginal mesh implants.
Serious Mesh Complications
Some of the most common side effects of transvaginal mesh failure include the following:
- Infections in the urinary tract, abdominal organs, or the lining of the abdominal cavity
- Internal bleeding
- Erosion of the soft tissues or organs that come into contact with the mesh
- Vaginal scarring or narrowing
- Pain, including pain during sexual intercourse
- Urinary incontinence
- Recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence
- Mental and emotional trauma due to the length or severity of physical symptoms
In 2010, the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology published the findings from a study of transvaginal mesh failure that was cut short because too many patients were experiencing pelvic organ prolapse even after the mesh was implanted, although the reason for the mesh was to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Five of the 32 women in the study suffered vaginal mesh erosion that caused pain, bleeding, and scarring of the soft tissues in the abdomen. Two of the 32 patients needed a cystotomy to ease transvaginal mesh failure symptoms, and one required a blood transfusion. These complications were not seen in patients who did not have transvaginal mesh implanted.
A 2012 study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology compared two groups of patients. Both groups had had surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse, but one group had transvaginal mesh implants, while the other group did not. The study defined “failure” as the recurrence of the same symptoms the surgery was originally intended to treat.
During the course of the study, researchers found that the failure rate for the transvaginal mesh patients was significantly higher than the failure rate for patients who did not have transvaginal mesh. Patients who suffered from uterine prolapse prior to surgery and patients who had complications during the surgery itself were more likely to suffer from transvaginal mesh failure.
Transvaginal mesh failure can cause serious physical symptoms, including permanent scarring and disabilities. It can also cause severe mental and emotional trauma if a patient starts re-experiencing the very symptoms the surgery was intended to treat, not to mention develops new and severe symptoms.
Jacksonville Transvaginal Mesh Failure Attorneys Who Uphold Justice
At Farah & Farah, our Jacksonville transvaginal mesh failure attorneys are dedicated to providing individuals with the legal information and representation that they need. If you’ve been injured by a transvaginal mesh failure, contact us today at 877-245-6707 for a free, confidential consultation. Product liability and personal injury litigation are complex, however, we may be able to assist you in holding negligent parties legally accountable.
