Johnson & Johnson is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from women alleging they suffered mesh complications from the Ethicon TVT Obturator and other mesh products.

One of the most recent claims comes from an Arkansas woman, alleging she sustained serious injuries from the Ethicon TVT Obturator.

Plaintiff Pamela F. had reportedly opted for the Ethicon TVT Obturator (TVT-O), after reviewing the company’s marketing materials and discussing the decision with her physician. Pamela had the Ethicon TVT Obturator mesh implanted on March 30, 2005, for typical treatment purposes and had no reason to be concerned over potential mesh complications.

Even though Pamela had followed all physician instructions and post surgical recovery instructions, she still reportedly developed mesh complications. At all times relevant Pamela had received no warnings against potential mesh issues, with the product’s warning label allegedly failing to adequately discuss them.

In addition, there were no surgical instructions that may have helped prevent possible mesh complications.

Overview of Vaginal Mesh Complications

Surgical mesh has been used for hernia and abdominal repair for decades, but was converted for vaginal repair purposes in the 1990s. Starting as an off label treatment for women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP), the FDA eventually approved the product for this use and added stress urinary incontinence (SUI) to the list of treatment purposes.

Vaginal mesh essentially provides a safe and effective hammock in the pelvic regions of women who may have sustained damage in that area from traumatic events like childbirth. Over the years, vaginal mesh products have grown exponentially in popularity as discrete treatment methods for these personal conditions.

However, there have also been numerous vaginal mesh injury reports submitted to the FDA over the years, often forcing patients to undergo revision surgery. By 2011, nearly 4,000 vaginal mesh reports of injury or death had been reported to the FDA, the majority occurring between the years 2005 and 2010.

The FDA concluded vaginal mesh injury events were “not rare.” In addition, the FDA stated vaginal mesh products may be no more effective than standard surgeries and that they could increase the chances of infections. The vaginal mesh complications mentioned in these injury reports include, but are not limited to:

• Mesh Erosion
• Mesh Tearing
• Organ Tearing
• Mesh Perforation
• Infection
• Device Failure
• Debilitating Pain
• Painful Intercourse

These injuries often force patients to undergo revision surgery to remove or replace alleged defective mesh products, which carries higher risk of infection and injury.

In addition, revision surgery can cause even more medical bills to build up and may compound the patient’s overall condition. Mesh manufacturing companies allegedly knew or should have known of the potential complications associated with their vaginal mesh products.

Pamela opted to file legal action against Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Ethicon Inc., alleging the companies failed to warn her against potential difficulties. Pamela is having her vaginal mesh lawsuit join MDL No. 2327, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

Pamela states she never would have opted for the Ethicon TVT Obturator, if she had known about the possible side effects.

This Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-03984, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Charleston Division.