Brian D. Chase Drug and Medical Device Litigation Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Use of Vaginal Mesh Declines after FDA Warnings and Slew of Lawsuits

Friday, January 4, 2013 by Brian D. Chase

Specialists have significantly reduced their use of vaginal mesh implants to treat recurrent vaginal pelvic organ prolapse, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Urogynecologic Society.

According to the report, this followed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings that vaginal mesh products are associated with significant and severe side effects without improving outcomes for women who suffer from conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.

Serious Side Effects

Researchers conducted the survey to determine whether the FDA's warning was having any effect on surgeon practice patterns. The update documented a five-fold increase in mesh-related complications since 2008, totaling 2,874 cases. The FDA reported a variety of serious side effects among women including neuromuscular problems, vaginal scarring, bleeding and painful sexual intercourse.

Also, three deaths were directly related to mesh replacement. FDA encouraged health providers to recognize that in most cases pelvic organ prolapse can be treated safely and effectively without transvaginal mesh implants.

Doctors are also changing the way they counsel patients with regard to these procedures.

A new study by the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System has recommended a new imaging system that could help doctors determine if a woman is more likely to suffer from mesh side effects.

The device could also help detect if a woman should undergo transvaginal mesh surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse. This will soon become necessary, if it is not already, because thousands of women have had to undergo revision surgery to correct side effects caused by the mesh.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits

So far, more than 8,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed nationwide. A majority of these lawsuits involve women who are experiencing traumatic side effects that affect their ability to live their lives normally. If you or a loved one has been affected by these defective mesh products, an experienced

products liability lawyer will be able to offer you advice regarding your legal rights and options. Victims can seek compensation for damages including all medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, additional surgeries, permanent injuries, disfigurement, pain and suffering and emotional distress.

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Posted at 17:27 PM

Topic: Drug and Medical Device Litigation