Women who received transvaginal mesh (TVM) are at risk of developing infection, pain, nerve damage and erosion of the mesh through body tissues and into a body cavity. While mesh has successfully treated hernias, the tissues in the vagina are different from those in the abdominal cavity, and complications have been much more frequent and severe than expected when the mesh was first marketed for vaginal prolapse.

Why Wasn’t Adequate Research Done First?

Part of the reason risks weren’t fully understood, is because adequate research on the long term outcomes of vaginal implantation of mesh didn’t happen. Mesh was also provided to urogynecologists who did not receive adequate training from the manufacturers in mesh implantation techniques.

Drug and device manufacturers are often focused on getting selling their product as quickly and efficiently as possible. When a treatment has already been successful in one group of individuals, the attempt is made to ride the coat-tails of that success into new markets. Unfortunately, as we see with transvaginal mesh, this is dangerous to the end user, and causes life-long complications and suffering.

So Who Is Responsible?

Ultimately device manufacturers need to be responsible for ensuring they have diligently explored all potential side effects and complications when they market a product. They also need to provide in depth education and guidance to the physicians using that product, so they understand how to safely use it and screen for complications.

If you received transvaginal mesh and now suffer from pelvic pain, bleeding, infection, difficulty going to the bathroom and other complications, contact Dr. Greg Vigna, defective drug and device attorney, for a free medical-legal consult.