Having trouble with a mesh implant?
For the last 30 years a polypropylene medical device has been used in surgery. First largely used for the repair of hernias to strengthen the stomach lining it has over the last 15 years or so been apparently successfully used for women specific problems
As they get older, many women endure problems in the pelvic floor region of their bodies. A large percentage of all women will have Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) in their lifetime. This happens when, likely due to the muscles being stretched and enfeebled during childbirth, or having had a hysterectomy, or for supplementary modest pathologies the organs such as the bladder shift and start pressurizing the vaginal wall.
Treatment varies depending on the seriousness of the prolapse. Mild cases are treatable by doing certain designated exercises to strengthen those muscles. The fitment of a pessary is frequent solution. A pessary which is a small gadget that fits in the vagina and possibly could be taken out by the patient and put back in at own volition. This is successful but like all prosthetics it is a hassle. If the situation is serious however an operation is called for, fairly extreme and not undertaken lightly due to the problems and the sensitivity of the organs involved. A surgical procedure is in not usually done on young women of child bearing age. If not already performed it is often suggested that a hysterectomy be undertaken during the operation, so that here will never be a need to open up the area again. If one is in lot of pain, is incontinent or has bowel problems or finds making love difficult or painful however, then surgery may be the solution.
One of the treatments favored in recent years for POP repair has been the application of the device mentioned above which has been adapted and is now known as Vaginal Mesh. This device is a polypropene woven tape with many holes that is inserted behind the vaginal walls to be a permanent support of the pelvic organs. Once it is installed the tissue grows through the holes in the mesh and thus becomes permanently embedded in the body.
It is used in about a quarter of POP repairs recently and of 350,000 POP repairs in the USA in 2010 some 75,000 women had mesh implanted during operation. The immediate post operative results have been very satisfactory.
However there have been growing reports of problems being experienced. A Vaginal Mesh Injury is no longer a rare event. The most everyday complaint is erosion; where the tissue of the vaginal wall has worn away and allowed the mesh to protrude into the vagina. This causes a great deal of distress and discomfort. Other complaints are of pain, bleeding, vaginal infections or shrinkage, urinary problems and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
The Vaginal Mesh Implant problems had been noted by the FDA who issued a safety bulletin on 13 July 2011 wherein they say that there is “serious concern” as regards the employment of surgical tape in the treatment of POP and Sudden urinary incontinence (SUI)
If a woman has concerns about a transvaginal mesh implant that she has had and is in pain she should see her doctor. After that a consultation with a Tranvaginal Mesh Attorney will detail her rights to representation in a mass tort litigation that will be undertaken within the next short period. If she is in pain and irritation she may well be entitled to some form of compensation.