More and more women now claim their transvaginal mesh implants caused serious injuries. It’s clear why so many women seek compensation for TVM injuries. In fact, removing vaginal mesh is a complicated, risky procedure. Dr. Erin Crosby from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor recently presented a paper on removing vaginal mesh. Dr. Crosby said women often need multiple removal surgeries, according to MedScape. In fact, even experienced surgeons struggle with removing vaginal mesh devices. Here’s why:
1. Removing vaginal mesh implants contradicts the device’s design
Transvaginal mesh devices were created to be permanent, so removing them can cause just as much pain as they create. Jane Akre, editor of the Mesh Medical Device News Desk, told Corporate Crime Reporter that this permanency is perhaps the biggest problem when it comes to removing the implants.
“You can’t take it out,” Akre explained. “The end of the [transvaginal mesh device] kits have arms that sink into muscles and tissues. And even the best removal experts, and there are darn few in the country, can’t get the arms out.”
Akre told the news source most physicians who performed vaginal mesh implantation procedures weren’t surgeons or properly trained in inserting the devices in patients, which has led to the metal arms of devices being installed incorrectly, further complicating removal.
2. The risks of complications are high
According to the University of Michigan’s Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, possible transvaginal mesh removal surgery risks include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clot formations in the legs as well as lungs
- Damage to the bladder, ureters or bowel
- Bowel obstructions
- Infection
Certain complications are rare, such as internal organ damage. This complication occurs in less than 1% of removal surgeries, according to the University of Michigan. Regardless of whether the device stays in or is surgically removed, women face the same injury risks.
3. The material itself is immobile
Akre also said one issue with removing vaginal mesh implants involves how they’re manufactured. Akre said many medical device industry experts describe vaginal mesh as inert, or unmovable. Moreover, one expert said TVM material becomes motionless after implantation because “it has a systemic response in the body.”
According to Dr. Crosby, 33 of the 57 study participants had mesh that didn’t lie flat or wasn’t tension-free. MedScape reported that an audience member listening to Dr. Crosby’s presentation shared a personal story about removing transvaginal mesh.
“As someone who removes mesh almost weekly… there is often a band or it is balled or folded,” the surgeon stated.
What You Can Do
Many women suffer painful complications while removing vaginal mesh. As a result, patients are suing device manufacturers for pain and suffering. Get an attorney to review your case for free and see if you may qualify for financial compensation.
Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.