Transvaginal Mesh Complications

Thousands of women have suffered serious transvaginal mesh complications, including mesh erosion and organ perforation, following surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Vaginal mesh complications are extremely painful, and can change a life forever. It’s little wonder then that American Medical Systems, Boston Scientific, C.R. Bard, and Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon division have been named in thousands of transvaginal mesh lawsuits alleging they failed to properly test their pelvic mesh devices, or to provide appropriate warnings to doctors and patients about their risks.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is playing a leading role in pelvic mesh litigations now underway in state and federal courts, and our attorneys understand the catastrophic toll vaginal mesh complications take on victims’ lives. If your life and health have been devastated because of pelvic mesh, filing a vaginal mesh lawsuit could enable you to obtain the compensation you need cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. To learn more about the legal options available to the victims of transvaginal mesh injuries, we urge you to contact Bernstein Liebhard LLP today.

FDA Warning on Vaginal Mesh Complications

In July 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reported that there had been a fivefold increase in the number of serious transvaginal mesh complications associated with surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse. At the same time, the agency reported that it had received more than 1,300 reports of injuries associated with pelvic mesh for stress urinary incontinence repair. The FDA further warned that it had been unable to conclude that use of pelvic mesh in prolapse repair offered any additional advantages over tradition treatments, and could actually expose patients to greater risk of vaginal mesh complications. According to the agency, the most commonly reported pelvic mesh injuries included:

Erosion through vaginal wall
Infection
Pain
Urinary problems
Recurrence of prolapse and/or incontinence.
Bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforation
Vaginal scarring
Pain during sexual intercourse

Many of these complications require additional intervention, including medical or surgical treatment and hospitalization, according to the FDA.

Transvaginal Mesh Erosion

Mesh erosion is one of the most common complications associated with transvaginal mesh. When this occurs, the mesh moves away from the vaginal wall, and into the surrounding organs. In some cases, the mesh may even erode to the point that it extrudes, or extends outside of the vaginal opening.

Common symptoms of mesh erosion may include:

Vaginal discharge
Vaginal pain and bleeding
Pain during sexual intercourse
Recurrent bladder infections
Generalized pain

Women who’ve undergone transvaginal mesh procedures should consult their doctor if they suffer any of the above symptoms. Left untreated, mesh erosion can result in damage to the bladder or bowel, abscesses, or fistulas.

Vaginal Mesh Organ Perforation

Perforation of internal organs is a frightening and potentially life-threatening vaginal mesh complication. In fact, in its 2011 Safety Communication, the FDA warned that seven deaths had been reported in association with pelvic mesh procedures, two of which were the result of perforated organs. Transvaginal mesh organ perforation can involve the bowel, bladder, urethra, colon or vagina. Perforation can occur during the initial surgery to implant the mesh, or over time as a result of mesh erosion.

Symptoms of this serious transvaginal mesh complication can include:

Abdominal pain
Abnormal bleeding in the urine or stools
Pain during sexual intercourse
Infection
Chills
Confusion, delirium
Fever, low body temperature
Low blood pressure
Loss of consciousness

Vaginal mesh organ perforation can be deadly if fluid leaks from the punctured organ. This can lead to a severe blood infection called sepsis, which is often fatal.

Transvaginal Mesh Revision Surgery

Women who experience transvaginal mesh complications may have to undergo revision surgery to remove the defective material. Unfortunately, multiple revision procedures are often needed, as sections of the mesh may have fused with other organs and tissue, forcing a surgeon to remove the mesh in small pieces. In such cases, the surgeon may also have to cut out the tissue surrounding the mesh. Sometimes, complete removal of the device is impossible, and many women continue to suffer severe discomfort after multiple transvaginal mesh revision surgeries.

Are You a Victim of Transvaginal Mesh Complications? Our Firm Can Help.

If your life has been forever changed by vaginal mesh complications, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is already representing numerous women in transvaginal mesh lawsuits, and our attorneys are available to evaluate your case for free and answer any questions you might have about your legal options. To learn more about the legal help available to you, please call Bernstein Liebhard LLP today, at .