Transvaginal mesh is a medical device designed to support the pelvic organs in women who require surgical repair for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Intended as a longer-lasting, less-invasive treatment for POP and SUI than other surgical options, transvaginal mesh has in recent years been linked to an increasing number of potentially fatal health complications. If you received transvaginal mesh for treatment of POP or SUI, our product liability lawyers may be able to help you.

Transvaginal Mesh Complications

Sometimes referred to as a bladder sling, transvaginal mesh is a patch-like device made of surgical mesh. Since the first transvaginal mesh product received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, tens of thousands of women have received the medical devices in the surgical correction of POP and SUI.

In POP treatment, transvaginal mesh is meant to reinforce the vaginal wall and hold the surrounding organs in place. In the surgical repair of SUI, transvaginal mesh is used to support the urethra.

Since 2008, the FDA has received more than 3,000 reports of medical complications associated with transvaginal mesh, including at least seven that resulted in wrongful death. The complications most commonly linked to transvaginal mesh include:

  • Vaginal pain
  • Infections
  • Pain during urination
  • Organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Transvaginal mesh migration
  • Transvaginal mesh erosion
  • POP or SUI recurrence
  • Vaginal scarring

Injuries resulting from transvaginal mesh complications require immediate medical attention and sometimes necessitate revision surgery.

In 2011, the FDA issued its second warning in three years to doctors and patients about the problems with surgical mesh products. In a notification from July, they state, “serious complications associated with surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of POP are not rare.”

Transvaginal Mesh Makers

The adverse effects of transvaginal mesh have been tied to numerous models and brand names produced by major medical device manufacturers including:

  • American Medical Systems (AMS)
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Covidien
  • Ethicon
  • Boston Scientific
  • C.R. Bard

If you received transvaginal mesh in the surgical treatment of POP or SUI and later suffered complications, our personal injury attorneys are here to help. Please contact Wapner Newman for your free consultation.