In July, 2011, the FDA issued a Safety Communication explaining that vaginal surgical mesh - most commonly used to treat Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) in women - is associated with the frequent occurrence of severe side effects such as mesh erosion, incontinence, organ perforation, neuro-muscular deficiencies, pain, infection, bleeding, and recurrent POP. These physical side effects can also have a devastating emotional impact.
POP is a condition in which internal organs drift into the vagina - sometimes even to the vaginal opening - due to a weakness in the tissues that are supposed to hold the organs in place. POP is often treated with the permanent insertion of surgical mesh as a means of providing support to the tissue, although the July, 2011 FDA statement concluded that surgical mesh provided no treatment benefits above non-mesh repair. The combination of the high risk of severe side effects and lack of efficacy led the FDA to recommend that vaginal mesh only be used as a last resort treatment option, but for many women who attempted to treat their POP with vaginal mesh the damage has already been done.
Women implanted with vaginal mesh who have experienced serious side effects may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. If you have suffered an injury as a result of the use of vaginal mesh, please
contact one of our experienced vaginal mesh attorneys for a free and confidential consultation.