Over the past decade, a large number of women have reported complications associated with the use of vaginal mesh during pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. As such, affected women may be entitled to recover compensation for their damages – which may include their medical bills, pain and suffering and more.
Vaginal mesh is a net-like implant that’s used to treat pelvic organ prolapse – which occurs when the uterus, rectum and/or bowel descend from their normal position. When the implant is inserted into a patient through the vagina, it’s referred to as transvaginal mesh. In 2010, 300,000 surgeries were performed to correct prolapse, and 75,000 of them used transvaginal mesh.
Between 2005 and 2007, the FDA received 1,000 reports citing complications and injuries that were related to transvaginal mesh. Following an investigation by the FDA, the agency reported that there were nearly 2900 reports of transvaginal mesh injuries between 2008 and 2010. As such, in 2011, the FDA announced that women who have undergone a pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery with transvaginal mesh may be at an increased risk for complications – and that mesh repairs are not more effective than non-mesh repairs for treating this particular condition.
In 2012, the FDA reclassified transvaginal mesh as a high-risk device – which means it’s now subject to more rigorous testing.
Since these revelations have come to light, tens of thousands of lawsuits have been filed, accusing transvaginal mesh manufacturers of:
- Failing to adequately warn patients and doctors about the risks and potential complications associated with these devices.
- Misleading the FDA, doctors and patients regarding the safety and effectiveness of transvaginal mesh.
- Failing to conduct proper research and testing to determine the risks of using transvaginal mesh.
