Pennsylvania Transvaginal Mesh Surgery Attorneys
For the last few years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been warning doctors and patients of potential harmful risks of surgical mesh being implanted transvaginally to treat pelvic organ prolapse. From 2008 to 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received over 1,500 formal reports of complications from women after transvaginal mesh surgeries. The FDA has been closely monitoring patients who have received transvaginal mesh surgery to repair urogynecologic conditions since 2008 and it has been determined that complications from transvaginal mesh implantation were not rare and the high number of adverse effects reported remains an area of serious concern.
Beside the 1,500 formal reports received by the FDA, it is believed that there are many other women suffering from problems after mesh surgery that have not been reported. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when pelvic muscles and other supporting structures stretch or weaken, sometimes after the strain of a vaginal birth. The weakening of the pelvic floor muscles can cause internal organs like the bladder, bowels, and uterus to drop and sometimes fall into the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse is rarely life threatening. It can be painful and cause sexual dysfunction, urinary leakage, incontinence, and other bowel problems. While there are several treatments available for pelvic organ prolapse, many doctors and patients have opted for transvaginal mesh surgery. During the surgery, mesh is implanted to support the organs that have dropped, relieving some of the symptoms of prolapse.
The FDA’s latest warning about the risk of transvaginal mesh surgery indicates that this may not be the best treatment for patients with pelvic organ prolapse. In fact, the latest review of transvaginal mesh surgery cautions that the procedure is no more effective at treating and correcting pelvic organ prolapse than non-mesh procedures and offers little or no improvement in the quality of life to those patients. Further hundreds of complications have been reported after mesh surgery that patients would not have been at risk for had they not undergone the procedure. The most commonly reported problems from the transvaginal surgical procedure include mesh erosion or protrusion into the vagina, infections, bleeding, scars, scar tissue, pain during sexual intercourse, and urinary incontinence. Transvaginal mesh is considered a permanent implant and may not be able to be completely removed and patients who have suffered complications may need to undergo multiple surgeries to correct ongoing problems. The negative effects of transvaginal mesh surgery seem to cause a worsening of symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse that was being treated by the procedure.
The experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys of Reiff & Bily are currently investigating and prosecuting claims for injuries that result from transvaginal mesh surgery. For over 30 years, our skilled Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers have worked closely with victims to achieve many million and multimillion dollar awards. We understand the physical and emotional pain that surgical complications can cause and how it can affect one’s life. Our team of attorneys, doctors, and nurses has the skill, expertise, and experience necessary to successfully represent your interests.
We understand that when a medical malpractice occurs, families are faced with unforeseen medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation. We are greedy for justice. Please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com to schedule a confidential, no obligation consultation.
