Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Lawsuits and Legal Help

The Law Firm of Attorney Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting women who have suffered complications linked to vaginal mesh products used in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgeries. We are ready to help you. If you have experienced vaginal mesh erosion, pain, infection, urinary problems, bleeding, organ perforation, or other complications following the use of a surgical mesh, please submit the easy to use Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit Evaluation Form found on this page. You can also call us 24/7, toll free at 877-934-6274. A female nurse or paralegal will be on hand to discuss your medical history and transvaginal mesh injury.

You Are Not Alone; FDA Reports Thousands of Women Have Experienced Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh Injuries

According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report dated July 2011, a search of its safety database has identified 2,874 adverse event reports linked to urogynecologic mesh products for the 3 year period from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2010. Complications include reports of injury, death, and mesh failure, including 1,503 adverse events for women undergoing POP surgery and 1,371 adverse events for women undergoing SUI surgery.

Based on safety data and a review of the scientific literature, the FDA concluded that:

  • serious adverse events related to the use of surgical mesh for repair of POP are not rare,
  • it is not clear that transvaginal POP repair with mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair and it may expose patients to greater risk.

Vaginal Mesh Injuries and Complications

The FDA has concluded that erosion of mesh through the vagina following transvaginal POP surgery is the most commonly reported mesh complication. Because the mesh is permanently implanted, it can require multiple repair surgeries and in some cases surgery may not resolve mesh complications. Complications related to POP surgery include:

  • Erosion, meaning that the mesh is exposed or protrudes out of the vaginal tissue
  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • Bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforation during insertion of mesh
  • Urinary problems
  • Recurrent prolapse
  • Neuro-muscular problems
  • Vaginal scarring/shrinkage
  • Emotional problems
  • Additional surgeries or hospitalizations to treat complications or remove mesh.

The FDA will issue a report on risk and complications related to SUI repair including urethral sling, bladder sling, and vaginal sling surgeries in the near future.

Surgical Mesh and Its Uses

Surgical mesh is categorized as a medical device. It is used to repair weakened or damaged tissue. Urogynecologic uses of mesh include the repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence, including bladder sling, vaginal sling, transvaginal sling, and urethral sling procedures.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse occurs when tissue, holding the pelvic organs in place, becomes weakened or stretched. Organs may bulge into the vagina or prolapse past the vaginal opening. Organs that may prolapse include the bladder, rectum, bowel, uterus, or top of the vagina following a hysterectomy. The FDA reports that 30 to 50 percent of women may experience POP in their lifetime, with 2 percent experiencing symptoms. POP surgery is performed through the abdomen or through the vagina, transvaginally. The surgery may utilize stitches or surgical mesh. The FDA reports that in 2010, there were at least 100,000 POP repairs that used surgical mesh, and that about 75,000 of these surgeries involved transvaginal procedures.

Stress Urinary Incontinence is characterized by a leakage of urine during physical activity, e.g., lifting, exercise, coughing, sneezing, or laughing. A sling procedure may be implemented to address this condition.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits

When you call our firm, a female nurse or paralegal will be on hand to speak with you about your surgical mesh experience.

In order to evaluate your potential mesh lawsuit it will be important to determine which surgical mesh your surgeon used. You can find this out by contacting your doctor, or by checking the surgical note in your hospital records for both the mesh manufacturer and model. Meshes commonly used in POP and SUI surgeries include:

  • C.R. Bard - Avaulta, Pelvicol, PelviSoft, PelviTex, PelviLace
  • Johnson & Johnson - Gynecare, Gynemesh
  • Boston Scientific – Advantage
  • American Medical Systems
  • Tyco
  • Mentor
What You Can Do if You Have a Transvaginal Surgical Mesh Injury

Report Problems to the FDA - The FDA advises consumers to contact their health care professional if they experience symptoms or complications associated with a vaginal mesh product, including persistent vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic or groin pain, or pain with sex. Let your healthcare provider know that you have surgical mesh, especially if undergoing another medical procedure, and continue with your routine or follow up medical appointments. Consumers and professionals should report suspected mesh problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm.

Obtain a Free Mesh Lawsuit Evaluation

If you have suffered complications related to a transvaginal mesh implant or transvaginal sling, you may be entitled to financial compensation based on the manufacturer’s failure to properly design these products or to adequately warn patients and doctors of mesh side effects. Please submit a Free and Non-Obligatory Mesh Lawsuit Evaluation Form, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274. We promise to bring our more than 25 years of experience helping personal injury victims to bear on your behalf.

Mesh lawsuits of behalf of women experiencing complications following the use of vaginal mesh products in POP and SUI surgeries have been filed in New Jersey state court before Judge Carol Higbee, Atlantic County; and federal court before Judge Joseph R. Goodwin, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.