It is known as pelvic organ prolapse and it is a common condition for a woman to develop during their lifetime. Among treatments for this problem is the use of transvaginal mesh which has led to pelvic mesh injuries.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is when an organ or organ system tissue falls from its normal location in the pelvic cavity and presses against the vaginal wall. This usually happens due to loss of muscular or connective tissue support.

The organs or tissues which can be involved in prolapse are listed here by bodily system:

Renal:

• The bladder
• The urethra

Digestive:

• The small bowel
• The rectum

Reproductive:

• The uterus
• The vagina – the wall collapses in on itself

Pelvic organ prolapse more often occurs in older females when a trifecta of risk factors tend to come together – increased weight or obesity, damage to tissues from former childbirth episodes, and a gradual weakening of the pelvic cavity muscles due to the aging process.

What is Transvaginal Mesh and How has it Led to Pelvic Mesh Injuries?

Surgical mesh is a treatment option that is placed inside of a sufferer of pelvic organ prolapse to support the weakened area of the vaginal wall. It is meant to remain in the body permanently after physician implantation, but some mesh products are absorbed by the body over a length of time.

Transvaginal mesh is made of porous artificial or biologically-sourced materials and is set in via the vagina rather than through the lower abdomen. Transvaginal rather than transabdominal mesh seems to be at the heart of pelvic mesh injuries.

Transvaginal repair using surgical mesh has caused many complications including:

• Urinary problems
• Pain during Intercourse
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Mesh perforation of organs
• Problems with incontinence

Several pelvic mesh injuries have been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recent years leading them to identify these injuries as no long rare occurrences.

In just a two-year period between January 2008 and December 2010, 1,503 reports related to pelvic organ prolapse were received by them. In 2016, the FDA reclassified transvaginal mesh as a moderate to high-risk medical device.

As of the date of this writing, multiple lawsuits have been filed against developers and manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products. Plaintiffs are listing pain and suffering, loss of income due to not being able to work, and loss of consortium (or spousal intimacy) as complaints in these lawsuits.  More such litigation is expected in the future.

Many mesh developers and manufacturers are settling cases now and stand at the ready to settle more since FDA’s reclassification. If you have been hurt because of treatment for pelvic organ prolapse with transvaginal mesh, take a moment to consult with a qualified attorney to get the compensation you deserve.