Repeat Vaginal Mesh Implant Patients Don’t Benefit
By John Curran
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try and try again. It is a wonderful statement for parents to tell children so they learn how to overcome small adversities. When it comes to vaginal mesh implant failures, however, the aphorism about the definition of insanity better applies.
Dealing with incontinence by repeatedly going into surgery doesn’t make sense for a lot of patients, yet many women undergo revision surgeries to fix failed bladder sling implants. Researchers from the University of Alabama looked at data from 1,300 patients who have received some sort of bladder sling implant. The researchers found that when women tried to have a second surgery, it did not work nearly as well as for those who only had one vaginal mesh surgery procedure.
It should be noted that the study was performed by at least one doctor who has been paid by various pharmaceutical manufacturers, although a review of the companies finds that none have been the subject of lawsuits by vaginal mesh implant lawyers. Still, the data follows a logical conclusion: women who have had problems with these medical devices are not likely to have it be fixed a second time.
Unfortunately, that is also the same problem that women dealing with vaginal mesh implant side effects face. As many manufacturers are put on trial, plaintiffs have testified that they needed several revision surgeries after synthetic medical devices became dislodged and damaged the vaginal walls as well as other issues. The most egregious claim recently netted a woman $3.35 million in a jury award in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However that may be of little solace to women who have suffered from permanent scarring and decreased quality of life.
Ironically, the very way that these devices are constructed presents a major problem. They are designed to last longer than biological options, which may have been used by some of the women in the University of Alabama study. However, the material used reacts poorly with some women’s bodies so that the bladder sling implant causes significant damage. By being stronger, it is harder to remove and even maneuver within the pelvic region.
Early results from bellwether trials are promising, so women who are considering getting help with these side effects should get a free consultation with a vaginal mesh implant injury lawyer. It is as easy as filling out the short form at the Vaginal Mesh Sling Class Action Lawsuit Investigation, so get started now.
Updated March 1st, 2013
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