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Vaginal Mesh and Bladder Sling Mesh
- Issue: High rate of serious complications
Lieff Cabraser represents women alleging serious side effects and injuries arising from synthetic polypropylene mesh used in vaginal surgeries to treat pelvic organ prolapse ("POP"), a condition that affects thousands of women annually. POP occurs when the connective tissue and muscles that surround and support the pelvic organs grow weak or stretch, often after childbirth.
The surgical mesh is also used as a bladder sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Attorney Wendy Fleishman Provides Update
on Transvaginal Mesh Risks & Injuries
Surgical mesh, manufactured with polypropylene and intended for transvaginal insertion, is known by many names, including:
- Transvaginal Mesh
- Vaginal Mesh
- Bladder Sling Mesh
- TVT Mesh
- Transvaginal Tape
Traditional surgery to treat POP or SUI does not use plastic mesh. Instead, a woman's own tissue is used to support the organs.
Vaginal Mesh Complications and Side Effects
In the past three years, the FDA has received over 1,500 reports of complications arising from surgical mesh devices used to repair POP, and over 650 patients have filed lawsuits as a result of their injuries. During this time, there were seven reported deaths associated with POP repairs, three of which were related to the mesh placement procedure.
In 2011, the public interest safety group Public Citizen called upon the FDA to recall non-absorbable synthetic transvaginal surgical mesh. Public Citizen noted that the non-absorbable meshes
"should be recalled because they offer no significant benefits but expose patients to serious risks and the potential for permanent, life-altering harm."
The mesh products are made by several companies including C.R. Bard Inc., Boston Scientific Corp. and Johnson & Johnson.
The most common complications of plastic surgical mesh devices include:
- vaginal mesh erosion – tissue between the mesh and the lining of the vagina breaks down and the mesh becomes exposed on the surface of the vagina;
- vaginal scarring;
- contraction or shrinking of the mesh;
- infection;
- neuro-muscular problems; and
- onset or resurgence of urinary problems such as incontinence.
In some cases, the complications led to severe pelvic discomfort and pain, additional "revision" surgeries to try to excise the mesh, and permanent life-changing injuries.
Contact Lieff Cabraser
If you or a family member have suffered serious complications from vaginal mesh, vaginal tape, or a bladder sling, Lieff Cabraser can assist you in evaluating your legal options. We have several female attorneys and nurses from our San Francisco, New York, and Nashville offices assigned to represent women across America injured by transvaginal mesh.
Feel free to contact us via email by clicking here to complete a contact form. Or call us toll-free in our New York office at 1-888-321-1510 and ask to speak to attorney Paulina do Amaral.
All information will be held strictly confidential. We will review your case promptly and for free, and without any obligation on your part.
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Please click here to contact a personal injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser, or call us toll-free at 1 888.321.1510 and ask to speak to attorney Paulina do Amaral. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
Read the transvaginal mesh injuries FAQ
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2/28/2013
Jury Finds Johnson & Johnson at Fault in Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit
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2/9/2013
Associated Press Reports Thousands of Women File Suit Over Injuries From Surgical Mesh
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1/7/2013
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10/4/2012
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7/25/2012
- View All
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Read a copy of our Personal Injury Practice Area Brochure.