Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits in Savannah

Securing Compensation for Victims of Defective Medical Devices in Georgia

As more women are coming forward to talk about the problems they have experienced due to a transvaginal mesh surgery, the law is taking claims seriously. Tate Law Group, LLC is available to assist with transvaginal mesh lawsuits if you or someone you know has suffered after having this procedure.

Schedule a free consultation with our Savannah transvaginal mesh attorneys today by calling (912) 234-3030 or contacting us online.

What is a Transvaginal Mesh?

When a woman’s pelvic muscles weaken often as a result of childbirth, hysterectomy, or menopause—they can no longer completely support organs like the bladder, urethra, bowel, and uterus. As a result, these organs may “drop” and bulge into the vagina, resulting in an increased risk of incontinence.

Vaginal mesh repair is a surgical technique performed through the vagina that uses a synthetic mesh, often in the shape of a sling, to anchor and reinforce weakened connective tissues in the vaginal wall or to support the urethra or bladder. This reinforcement is designed to help reduce urine leakage and provide much-needed support to vital organs.

Transvaginal mesh is made of a variety of materials, including:

• Polypropylene or polyester synthetics that are non-absorbable
• Absorbable synthetics
• Collagen from bovine or porcine natural sources
• A combination of any of the three above

Having evolved from its original uses, transvaginal mesh is primarily used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and bladder prolapse in women today. These two conditions result in incontinence, discomfort, and even pain as the organs slip out of their appropriate placement. However, there are other surgical options designed to resolve these issues that do not use mesh.

Reports of Complications

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently reported that surgical mesh implants used to treat weakening in the pelvic region, a particularly common problem after childbirth, may actually do more harm than good. In 2011, the FDA released a statement regarding transvaginal mesh implants that informed the public that the number of complaints had reached a concerning level. The FDA reported more than 1,000 complaints between 2005-2008 and 2,874 complaints regarding complications from 2008-2010.

The numbers have continued to climb from there. Beginning in 2008 courts began hearing cases brought forward by a transvaginal mesh attorney and since then cases have continued to increase. The FDA determined that transvaginal mesh was being used in cases where it did not produce any benefit compared to the traditional non-mesh surgical options.

Complications noted include:

• Erosion of the mesh through the vaginal tissue
• Exposure or extrusion of mesh, which can require multiple surgeries
• Feeling a lump in the vaginal opening or something protruding from the vagina
• Perforation or puncture of internal organs, as well as blood vessels around the vaginal wall
• Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Recurrent Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
• Urinary problems
• Vaginal bleeding and pain
• Vaginal chronic drainage, discharge, and infections
• Vaginal scarring and shortening

Some of these complications can be addressed with additional surgery but many cannot be corrected and lead to significant quality-of-life issues. The FDA also noted they could not determine a particular transvaginal mesh manufacturer to be at fault. The mesh is manufactured by numerous companies including Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems, Inc. (AMS), C.R. Bard, Inc., and Johnson & Johnson. The complications cited could be traced to every manufacturer and each of the four types of mesh.

Our Experienced Legal Team Can Help You

If you have experienced any difficulties following a transvaginal mesh implant procedure, including pain, additional necessary surgeries, infection or other problems, the Savannah transvaginal mesh attorneys at Tate Law Group, LLC can help you determine if you should file a case similar to other successful transvaginal mesh lawsuits. Our firm’s attorneys have specialized in this issue and are up-to-date on the latest research and statistics around transvaginal mesh complications, and can help you get compensation for your injuries.

If you have undergone vaginal mesh surgery and suffer from any of the above complications, please call Tate Law Group, LLC today at (912) 234-3030 or contact us online.