Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit

Garces, Grabler, & LeBrocq is investigating claims on behalf of individuals who underwent a surgical procedure involving transvaginal mesh that later caused an injury. For more information, please contact us.

What is Transvaginal Mesh?

Surgical meshes are loosely woven sheets of material (either synthetic or made of animal tissues) that are used as permanent or temporary support for internal body structures and organs. Transvaginal mesh is a type of surgical mesh used primarily to treat Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), which is a condition characterized by bladder leaks during physical activity, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), a weakening of support tissues in the groin (particularly the pelvic muscles and ligaments) that causes organs to sag or fall into the vaginal canal.

Surgical implantation of a mesh is a typical treatment for these types of conditions, and transvaginal placement (through or across the vagina) is common because it is less invasive than accessing the region from farther away. A mesh might be used to secure organs such as the bladder, uterus, rectum, or bowel that are intruding into the vaginal canal.

The FDA estimates that 30-50% of all women will develop POP in their lifetime as a normal consequence of aging. In 2010 alone, over 100,000 urogynecological mesh procedures occurred in the U.S., and 75% were performed transvaginally.

Other Names for Transvaginal Mesh

• Bladder Sling
• Pelvic Sling
• Pelvic Support
• Synthetic Mesh
• Graft
• Biomesh
• Vaginal Support System

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Are Transvaginal Meshes Dangerous?

In 2019, the FDA ordered all manufacturers of surgical mesh designed for the transvaginal treatment of POP to immediately halt all sales and production of those products. A report by the FDA regarding two manufacturers, Boston Scientific and Coloplast, found the companies “…did not demonstrate reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness for these devices, which is the premarket standard that applies to transvaginal mesh for pelvic mesh prolapse since the agency reclassified them into class III (high risk) in 2016.”

The FDA has not yet banned transvaginal meshes for treating SUI. However, the agency has revealed that between 2005 and 2007, it received over 1,000 reports of adverse reactions following the application of a urogynecological mesh product to treat POP and SUI — and the number of those complaints tripled between 2007 and 2010.

Potential Complications of Transvaginal Mesh Surgery

• Mesh Erosion
• Infections
• Pain
• Bleeding
• Problems Urinating
• Vaginal Scarring
• Bladder or Bowel Perforation

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In some cases, transvaginal meshes shrink or erode so completely that further injury and prolapse occur, requiring additional surgical procedures. Additionally, pieces of an eroded mesh can migrate throughout the body, causing infections and potentially even infertility.