Thousands of women worldwide have experienced catastrophic injuries as a result of having a synthetic transvaginal mesh, transvaginal tape, or a bladder sling implanted.<\/p>\n
The net-like implant is commonly used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI).<\/p>\n
Common side effects reported from the use of the vaginal mesh implants include continuing urinary incontinence; recurrent bladder infections; erosion; haematomas; nerve damage; inability to have sexual intercourse; pain during sexual intercourse; auto immune reactions; and life-long disabilities and even death.
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A number of regulators worldwide have flagged concerns over the use of such devices. They are still in use here in the UK, although some Trusts don’t use them because of the dangers and problems that have been highlighted over the last few years.<\/p>\n
In many cases, women with the vaginal mesh failures have required multiple complex and corrective surgeries. Even with corrective surgery, some women have reported irreparable and catastrophic injuries that can affect them for the rest of their life.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of thousands of cases have been launched worldwide against the manufacturers of the medical devices. The Defendants include: Bard Avaulta; American Medical Systems (AMS); Boston Scientific; Johnson and Johnson Ethicon Gynecare; Coloplast; Neomedic; and Cook Surgisis Biodesign.<\/p>\n
While most of the vaginal mesh manufacturers have chosen to quietly settle thousands of claims, there are thousands of other claims still left in the balance, and they may easily take years to resolve. This is evidenced by the fact that the vaginal mesh lawsuits have been going on for 7 years as of this year!<\/p>\n
The Department of Health, the NHS Commissioning Board, NHS surgeons, and the MHRA are taking action to help reduce the adverse effects caused by the vaginal mesh implants. In 2012, the Department of Health reported that around 13,000 vaginal tape implants are used by women every year in the U.K., and 1,500 women are fitted with vaginal mesh devices. It’s thought that around 150-500 women have suffered severe side effects from the use of vaginal tape, and approximately 200 women have been affected by the use of vaginal mesh implants.<\/p>\n