Negative Events Caused by the Use of Vaginal Mesh Products

As a medical device used as an implant for the surgical repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), vaginal mesh products are trusted by many gynecologists and urologists all over the world. In the pursuit of higher cure rates, many different materials have been utilized for the design of these devices. The insertion of a vaginal mesh into the vaginal wall strengthens the connective tissues that serve as support for the pelvic organs, and can treat both SUI and POP. But lately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have received various alarming reports linked to vaginal mesh implants. Based on these reports, vaginal mesh procedures have caused numerous alarming complications which are damaging and profound in nature. rnAs 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. These disorders advance as a result of low estrogen level in the body such as in menopause and hysterectomy, making it common to many older women. Younger women may also acquire these two conditions in cases of pregnancy and multiple vaginal deliveries when the pelvic muscles are weakened and lose elasticity. rnErosion of the vaginal mesh is a negative effect shared by most of the recipients. This is the most dangerous manifestation of vaginal mesh defect since it can prompt the development of other formidable effects like infections, pelvic pain, dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), and vaginal bleeding, and foul-smelling vaginal discharges. rnVaginal mesh infections can complicate reconstructive surgery for POP and SUI. 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 signal an infection are pelvic dragging, vaginal discharges that are purulent or bloody, hardening of the surgical wound, and rejection of the mesh. rnBleeding can occur during the course of the surgery and after it while the patient is in the recovery stage. Vaginal mesh implantation is believed as minimally invasive, but the risk of bleeding is still high and it can be attributed to the poor handling of the instruments used during the surgery. During the recovery phase, the patient is encouraged to avoid straining exercises as this can also cause bleeding of the surgical incision. rnRecurrence of prolapse or incontinence is viewed as another major problem rising up to the rate of 30%; this may be due to the materials used for vaginal mesh production which do not provide a permanent repair. And to add to this, recurrence of prolapse can be difficult to reconstruct. rnIn view of the increasing use of vaginal mesh and the continuously rising rates of complications related to it, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued public information regarding the danger of using vaginal mesh products. rnIf you plan to receive vaginal mesh implant, you need to know of its complications since it has the potential to cause a negative impact on your life. Ask your doctor to inform you on other treatment options available for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence, or the safety and efficacy of vaginal mesh surgery. 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 lawsuit.