Discussion about vaginal mesh complications has been mounting in recent years, and some women have even filed vaginal mesh lawsuits over these alleged side effects.

Vaginal mesh, also known as polypropylene mesh (PPM) is often used for the treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP). However, PPM may not be safe and effective for treating this condition.

PPM was first used to treat abdominal hernias, and while it was safe and effective in this capacity, there may have been insufficient testing to determine whether or not the same treatment would be safe and effective during vaginal mesh implant surgery.

Patients who underwent abdominal hernia surgery with a PPM would often experience chronic pain symptoms, and eventually be treated for these side effects.

However, the potential severity of vaginal mesh complications may be much worse.

Vaginal Mesh Complications

Vaginal mesh implants have been linked with a number of serious complications, often caused through mesh erosion and organ perforation. This can lead to bleeding, severe and chronic pain, infection, and even nerve damage.

Once the vaginal mesh device erodes through the vaginal wall, it can sometimes perforate other organs with its edge. In some cases, this can lead to permanent damage.

What Causes Vaginal Mesh Complications?

Studies show that, after implantation, a vaginal mesh device goes through serious contraction, and may contract up to 85 percent. This can pull on pelvic nerves, which causes chronic pain as well as pain during intercourse.

Vaginal mesh complications may behave like a chronic wound. In these cases, it causes chronic inflammation that can continue in the long term, even for years.

Unfortunately, treatment for vaginal mesh complications can be extremely problematic. This is because surgery passes the mesh extremely close to vital nerves that control pelvic floor, bowel, and walking functions.

The initial surgery is complex enough—because of the placement of the mesh, it can be difficult or even impossible to later remove the implant.

It is also quite possible that the doctor who implants a vaginal mesh device may not be a well-trained or skilled vaginal surgeon.

Vaginal mesh implant surgery is extremely complex, and is known as a blind surgery. This means that the surgery is performed only through a small incision, and so the surgeon can see only a small portion of the operation area. Instead of using sight, a surgeon must proceed based almost solely on touch to perform a very exact procedure.

Originally, vaginal mesh implants were only done by a small group of experts with experience. However, vaginal mesh manufacturers began developing trans-vaginal mesh kits that they marketed at the general urologist and gynecologist market rather than at these experts.

In many cases, these surgeons did not have the experience that vaginal mesh experts had with these surgeries, and only completed one-day courses in the surgical procedure.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits

Vaginal mesh complications may be extremely widespread, as hundreds of thousands of women have received these implants.

Especially since discussion of vaginal mesh complications has increased in recent years, thousands of women have filed lawsuits over their own vaginal mesh complications. Some of these cases have led to financial damages of millions of dollars.

If you or someone you know has experienced complications from vaginal mesh used to treat SUI, POP, or another condition, you may have cause to file a vaginal mesh lawsuit.