Transvaginal Mesh Can Contract or Erode Inside Women That Have Had Transvaginal Mesh Surgery Causing Serious Health Problems and Significant Pain by Texas Failed Transvaginal Mesh Lawyer

Failed transvaginal mesh surgery lawyer helps women who have suffered injuries from failed transvaginal mesh. Several defective transvaginal mesh lawsuits were filed after the FDA announced that over 1000 women who had transvaginal surgical mesh implanted in them for Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) have suffered health complications. These transvaginal mesh complications have included recurrence of prolapse and/or incontinence, erosion of the mesh through the vagina infection, pain, urinary problems, vaginal epithelium, bowel perforation, bladder perforation, and blood vessel perforation.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a failed Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) surgery or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) surgery, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. For information on a failed Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) surgery lawsuit or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) surgery lawsuit, please feel free to contact defective transvaginal surgical mesh lawyer, Jason Coomer, via e-mail message or use our submission form.

Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Lawyer, Bowel Perforation Lawyer, Bladder Perforation Lawyer, Failed Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery Lawyer, Failed Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgery Lawyer, and Failed Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Implant Surgery Lawyer Review Failed Surgical Mesh Lawsuits

Transvaginal surgical mesh has commonly been used to treat Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). 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 used to repair Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

The most frequent complications include erosion through vaginal epithelium, infection, pain, urinary problems, and recurrence of prolapse and/or incontinence. There were also reports of bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforation during insertion. In some cases, vaginal scarring and mesh erosion led to a significant decrease in patient quality of life due to discomfort and pain, including dyspareunia. Treatment of the various types of complications include additional surgical procedures (some of them to remove the mesh), IV therapy, blood transfusions, and drainage of hematomas or abscesses.

According to information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these health complications have included mesh erosion through the vagina, pain, infection, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, organ perforation, and urinary problems. In at least three instances, women are known to have died as a result of transvaginal mesh complications.

Victims of Failed Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Should Contact a Failed Surgical Mesh Lawyer (Bowel Perforations, Bladder Perforations, and Other Mesh Revisions Surgeries

The United States Food and Drug Administration released the below FDA Safety Communication update on July 13, 2011 regarding Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Audience:

• Health care providers who implant surgical mesh to repair pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence.
• Health care providers involved in the care of patients with surgical mesh implanted to repair pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence.
• Patients who are considering or have received a surgical mesh implant to repair pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence

Medical Specialties: gynecology, urogynecology, urology, general surgery, internal medicine, family practice, emergency medicine

Surgical Mesh: is a medical device that is generally used to repair weakened or damaged tissue. It is made from porous absorbable or non-absorbable synthetic material or absorbable biologic material. In urogynecologic procedures, surgical mesh is permanently implanted to reinforce the weakened vaginal wall to repair pelvic organ prolapse or to support the urethra to treat urinary incontinence.

Failed Transvaginal Mesh Surgeries including Failed Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery and Failed Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgery

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: (POP) occurs when the tissues that hold the pelvic organs in place become weak or stretched. Thirty to fifty percent of women may experience POP in their lifetime with 2 percent developing symptoms. When POP happens, the organs bulge (prolapse) into the vagina and sometimes prolapse past the vaginal opening. More than one pelvic organ can prolapse at the same time. Organs that can be involved in POP include the bladder, the uterus, the rectum, the top of the vagina (vaginal apex) after a hysterectomy, and the bowel.

Stress Urinary Incontinence: (SUI) is a leakage of urine during moments of physical activity, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise.

Purpose of the Health Notification by Transvaginal Mesh Lawyer

On Oct. 20, 2008, the FDA issued a Public Health Notification and Additional Patient Information on serious complications associated with surgical mesh placed through the vagina (transvaginal placement) to treat POP and SUI.

Based on an updated analysis of adverse events reported to the FDA and complications described in the scientific literature, the FDA identified surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP as an area of continuing serious concern.

The FDA is issuing this update to inform you that serious complications associated with surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP are not rare. This is a change from what the FDA previously reported on Oct. 20, 2008. Furthermore, it is not clear that transvaginal POP repair with mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair in all patients with POP and it may expose patients to greater risk. This Safety Communication provides updated recommendations for health care providers and patients and updates the FDA’s activities involving surgical mesh for the transvaginal repair of POP.

The FDA continues to evaluate the effects of using surgical mesh to repair SUI and will communicate these findings at a later date.

For detailed information, please see: Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh: Update on the Safety and Effectiveness of Transvaginal Placement for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

FDA Summary of Failed Mesh Problem and Scope by by Transvaginal Mesh Attorney

In the Oct. 20, 2008 FDA Public Health Notification, the number of adverse events reported to the FDA for surgical mesh devices used to repair POP and SUI for the previous 3-year period (2005 – 2007) was “over 1,000.” Since then, from Jan. 01, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2010, the FDA received 2,874 additional reports of complications associated with surgical mesh devices used to repair POP and SUI, with 1,503 reports associated with POP repairs and 1,371 associated with SUI repairs. Although it is common for adverse event reporting to increase following an FDA safety communication, we are concerned that the number of adverse event reports remains high.

From 2008 – 2010, the most frequent complications reported to the FDA for surgical mesh devices for POP repair include mesh erosion through the vagina (also called exposure, extrusion or protrusion), pain, infection, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), organ perforation, and urinary problems. There were also reports of recurrent prolapse, neuro-muscular problems, vaginal scarring/shrinkage, and emotional problems. Many of these complications require additional intervention, including medical or surgical treatment and hospitalization.

In order to better understand the use of surgical mesh for POP and SUI, the FDA conducted a systematic review of the published scientific literature from 1996 – 2011 to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. The review showed that transvaginal POP repair with mesh does not improve symptomatic results or quality of life over traditional non-mesh repair. The FDA continues to evaluate the literature for SUI surgeries using surgical mesh and will report about that usage at a later date.

Scientific Literature Reveals Transvaginal POP Repair Risks From Defective Mesh

Mesh used in transvaginal POP repair introduces risks not present in traditional non-mesh surgery for POP repair. Mesh placed abdominally for POP repair appears to result in lower rates of mesh complications compared to transvaginal POP surgery with mesh. There is no evidence that transvaginal repair to support the top of the vagina (apical repair) or the back wall of the vagina (posterior repair) with mesh provides any added benefit compared to traditional surgery without mesh. While transvaginal surgical repair to correct weakened tissue between the bladder and vagina (anterior repair) with mesh augmentation may provide an anatomic benefit compared to traditional POP repair without mesh, this anatomic benefit may not result in better symptomatic results.

The FDA’s literature review found that erosion of mesh through the vagina is the most common and consistently reported mesh-related complication from transvaginal POP surgeries using mesh. Mesh erosion can require multiple surgeries to repair and can be debilitating for some women. In some cases, even multiple surgeries will not resolve the complication.

Mesh contraction (shrinkage) is a previously unidentified risk of transvaginal POP repair with mesh that has been reported in the published scientific literature and in adverse event reports to the FDA since the Oct. 20, 2008 FDA Public Health Notification. Reports in the literature associate mesh contraction with vaginal shortening, vaginal tightening and vaginal pain.

Transvaginal Mesh Erosion and Mesh Contraction Can Cause Severe Pain and Health Issues

Both mesh erosion and mesh contraction may lead to severe pelvic pain, painful sexual intercourse or an inability to engage in sexual intercourse. Also, men may experience irritation and pain to the penis during sexual intercourse when the mesh is exposed in mesh erosion.

The complications associated with the use of surgical mesh for POP repair have not been linked to a single brand of mesh.

Recommendations for Health Care Providers

As stated in the Oct. 20, 2008 Public Health Notification, the FDA continues to recommend that health care providers should:

Obtain specialized training for each mesh placement technique, and be aware of the risks of surgical mesh. Be vigilant for potential adverse events from the mesh, especially erosion and infection. Watch for complications associated with the tools used in transvaginal placement, especially bowel, bladder and blood vessel perforations. Inform patients that implantation of surgical mesh is permanent, and that some complications associated with the implanted mesh may require additional surgery that may or may not correct the complication. Inform patients about the potential for serious complications and their effect on quality of life, including pain during sexual intercourse, scarring, and narrowing of the vaginal wall in POP repair using surgical mesh. Provide patients with a copy of the patient labeling from the surgical mesh manufacturer if available.

In addition, the FDA also recommends that health care providers:

Recognize that in most cases, POP can be treated successfully without mesh thus avoiding the risk of mesh-related complications. Choose mesh surgery only after weighing the risks and benefits of surgery with mesh versus all surgical and non-surgical alternatives. Consider these factors before placing surgical mesh: Surgical mesh is a permanent implant that may make future surgical repair more challenging. A mesh procedure may put the patient at risk for requiring additional surgery or for the development of new complications.

Removal of mesh due to mesh complications may involve multiple surgeries and significantly impair the patient’s quality of life. Complete removal of mesh may not be possible and may not result in complete resolution of complications, including pain. Mesh placed abdominally for POP repair may result in lower rates of mesh complications compared to transvaginal POP surgery with mesh. Inform the patient about the benefits and risks of non-surgical options, non-mesh surgery, surgical mesh placed abdominally and the likely success of these alternatives compared to transvaginal surgery with mesh. Notify the patient if mesh will be used in her POP surgery and provide the patient with information about the specific product used. Ensure that the patient understands the postoperative risks and complications of mesh surgery as well as limited long-term outcomes data.

FDA Recommendations for Patients

Before Surgery be aware of the risks associated with surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP. Know that having a mesh surgery may put you at risk for needing additional surgery due to mesh-related complications. In a small number of patients, repeat surgery may not resolve complications.

Ask your surgeon about all POP treatment options, including surgical repair with or without mesh and non-surgical options, and understand why your surgeon may be recommending treatment of POP with mesh.

In addition, ask your surgeon these questions before you agree to have surgery in which surgical mesh will be used:

• Are you planning to use mesh in my surgery?
• Why do you think I am a good candidate for surgical mesh?
• Why is surgical mesh being chosen for my repair?
• What are the alternatives to transvaginal surgical mesh repair for POP, including non-surgical options?
• What are the pros and cons of using surgical mesh in my particular case?
• How likely is it that my repair could be successfully performed without using surgical mesh?
• Will my partner be able to feel the surgical mesh during sexual intercourse? What if the surgical mesh erodes through my vaginal wall?
• If surgical mesh is to be used, how often have you implanted this particular product? What results have your other patients had with this product?
• What can I expect to feel after surgery and for how long?
• Which specific side effects should I report to you after the surgery?
• What if the mesh surgery doesn’t correct my problem?
• If I develop a complication, will you treat it or will I be referred to a specialist experienced with surgical mesh complications?
• If I have a complication related to the surgical mesh, how likely is it that the surgical mesh could be removed and what could be the consequences?
• If a surgical mesh is to be used, is there patient information that comes with the product, and can I have a copy?

After Tranvaginal Mesh Surgery

Continue with your annual and other routine check-ups and follow-up care. There is no need to take additional action if you are satisfied with your surgery and are not having complications or symptoms. Notify your health care provider if you have complications or symptoms, including persistent vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic or groin pain or pain with sex, that last after your follow-up appointment. Let your health care provider know you have surgical mesh, especially if you plan to have another surgery or other medical procedures. Talk to your health care provider about any questions you may have.

If you had POP surgery, but do not know whether your surgeon used mesh, ask your health care provider at your next scheduled visit.

FDA Activities:

The FDA is working in several areas to assess and improve the safety and effectiveness of urogynecologic mesh products. The FDA will:

Convene the Obstetrics-Gynecology Devices Panel of the Medical Device Advisory Committee, on September 8-9, 2011.The panel will discuss and make recommendations regarding the safety and effectiveness of transvaginal surgical mesh for POP and SUI. Explore regulatory solutions to answer questions about the safety and effectiveness of urogynecologic mesh products that are now being marketed and those that will be reviewed for marketing in the future. Continue to monitor adverse events reported to FDA associated with surgical mesh used to repair POP and SUI, as well as assessing any and all data as it becomes available.

Reporting Problems to the FDA by Transvaginal Mesh Lawyer

Prompt reporting of adverse events can help the FDA identify and better understand the risks associated with medical devices. If you suspect a problem with surgical mesh, we encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program. Health care personnel employed by facilities that are subject to the FDA's user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities. Device manufacturers must comply with the Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulations.

To help us learn as much as possible about the adverse events associated with surgical mesh to repair POP and SUI, please include the following information in your reports, if available:

• Manufacturer's name
• Product name (brand name)
• Catalog number
• Lot number
• Size
• Date of implant
• Date of explant (if mesh was removed)
• Details of the adverse event and medical and/or surgical interventions (if required)
• Type of procedure (e.g., anterior or posterior repair, sacral colpopexy, sling procedure for SUI)
• Surgical approach: (e.g., vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic)
• Reason for mesh implantation: (e.g., POP of the uterus, bladder, rectum, vaginal apex or bowel, SUI)
• Specific postoperative symptoms experienced by the patient with time of onset and follow-up treatment

Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Lawyers Help Women That Have Been Injured and Required Revision Surgery for Bowel Perforation, Bladder Perforation, Failed Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery, Failed Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgery, and other Failed Transvaginal Surgeries

If you or a loved one has suffered from a failed Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) surgery, Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) surgery, or other failed transvaginal mesh surgery, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. For information on a failed transvaginal mesh surgery claim or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) surgery lawsuit, please feel free to contact Defective Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Lawyer, Jason Coomer, via e-mail message or use our submission form.

There has also been significant litigation and settlements related to defective hernia mesh surgeries. Read more about the pelvic mesh recall here.