When complications occur inside the body, doctors frequently use surgical mesh to provide structural support for various organs. Transvaginal mesh is one such device. According to the Transvaginal Mesh Center, doctors implant the material through a woman’s vaginal wall. TVM can either prevent or treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which is when physical activity or exertion causes bladder leakage. In addition, TVM can treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which occurs when a woman’s pelvic organs slip out of place. These issues can come from routine life events, such as childbirth, menopause or hysterectomy.
Providing Post-Operative Support
According to the Office on Women’s Health, doctors perform hysterectomies on nearly 50,000 women every year. This procedure removes the patient’s uterus after the organ moves out of place, to treat unusual vaginal bleeding or another problematic situation. Other organs, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries, are occasionally removed at the same time, if necessary. Doctors perform several different types of hysterectomies, such as:
- Total hysterectomy: This is the most common hysterectomy type and completely removes both the uterus and cervix.
- Supracervical (subtotal/partial) hysterectomy: This procedure involves partial removal of the upper part of the uterus.
- Radical hysterectomy: This form of hysterectomy commonly treats various cancers. During a radical hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the uterus, cervix and upper part of the vagina.
Many doctors perform vaginal hysterectomies because of its shorter recovery time and lower cost. Vaginal mesh and hysterectomy procedures often occur simultaneously in order to provide support for the vaginal wall and remaining pelvic organs.
The Problem with Transvaginal Mesh
Transvaginal mesh contains polypropylene, a plastic-like material. However, it can unfortunately cause women many problems. Doctors use mesh to treat conditions like SUI and POP in women. Both of these conditions can be embarrassing for women because they leave them without control over their bladders. As a result, some women rely on absorbent products to hide sudden urination. These conditions can also cause frequent pain, so doctors turn to TVM to fix the problem. However, this device often causes more trouble than it repairs.
TVM side effects often involve:
- Serious infection
- Organ perforation
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain and scarring
- Vaginal epithelium erosion
Mesh removal due to adverse effects can be a painful and difficult process. The mesh is made so tissue can grow in and around it, meaning that completely removing the material often takes several surgeries. On top of this, other surgeries might also be required to repair any perforations caused by the device. These surgeries are all extremely expensive and can add up quickly when a woman gets TVM removed.
The worst part is that once removal occurs, women still experience many painful mesh side effects. For instance, SUI and POP can often return, and the scarring from so many surgeries often creates a large amount of hardened tissue, making intercourse extremely painful. Numerous relationships have been damaged because couples can no longer be fully intimate with each other.
File a TVM Claim
Women with TVM injuries can sue for manufacturer negligence. Defendants in such cases include Cook Medical, C.R. Bard and others. If you or a loved one experience negative TVM side effects, contact an attorney today. It’s the fastest and easiest way to see if you may qualify for compensation.
Related: Top 7 Medical & Drug Injury FAQs, Answered
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.