Will the United States Move to Ban Vaginal Mesh Implants?
Pelvic Organ Prolapse, or POP, is a condition in which a pelvic organ, such as the bladder, drops and pushes against the walls of the vagina. The condition can be uncomfortable, result in difficulty controlling the bladder, and can also lead to pain. For most women, the condition is caused by weakened muscles as the result of childbirth, although there are other factors that can lead to the condition.
One of the treatments for POP is the insertion of vaginal mesh, also called pelvic mesh. Unfortunately, vaginal mesh insertion does not always go as planned, and thousands of women have reported serious complications. Indeed, the mesh is so risky that Britain may be banning vaginal mesh. Will the U.S. be next?
The Risks of Vaginal Mesh Implants
About 15 years ago, the FDA classified vaginal mesh as a Class II device, meaning that it posed a moderate risk to patients. However, the FDA recently reclassified pelvic mesh as a Class III medical device, which means that it is a high-risk device. The reclassification was made after thousands of women reported serious pelvic mesh complications to the FDA, including:
- Serious pelvic pain;
- Organ perforation;
- Serious bleeding;
- Vaginal scarring;
- Urinary complications; and
Many of these issues are caused as a result of early erosion of the mesh, which can then embed itself and take multiple intensive surgeries to remove completely. The mesh is dangerous enough that unless manufacturers make serious improvements to mesh to reduce its risks, it may be off market by 2019.
Your Rights if Vaginal Mesh Has Caused You Harm
If you have undergone surgery for POP and have been treated with pelvic mesh, and have experienced complications like those listed above as a direct result, you may have a cause of action against the pelvic mesh manufacturer. In fact, many patients have already brought forth lawsuits against pelvic mesh manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson. Many of these lawsuits allege that the company (and others like it) failed to properly test the medical devices before releasing them to the market, and did not properly represent the risks associated with transvaginal mesh installations. Harmed women are seeking damages for the full extent of their medical bills and other economic losses, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.
Contact Our Law Offices Today
At the Wall Huntington Law Firm, our lawyers have experience representing the victims of defective medical devices, and strongly believe in consumer and patient rights. If you have suffered harm as a result of a POP surgery involving the use of vaginal mesh, our lawyers want to meet with you. Please contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.