Texas Vaginal Mesh Lawyer

The most common vaginal mesh side effect is erosion of the mesh into tissue. The mesh can perforate the vagina, bladder, intestines, or blood vessels. Treatment for vaginal mesh erosion may involve multiple surgeries, but even if the vaginal mesh is removed, some side effects may be permanent. Women who suffer from vaginal mesh erosion may have severe pelvic pain, scarring, nerve damage, disfigurement of the vagina, and severely decreased quality of life.

 

Do I Have a Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one has been injured by vaginal mesh erosion, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a vaginal mesh erosion lawsuit.

What is vaginal mesh?

Vaginal mesh (also known as pelvic mesh, transvaginal mesh, pelvic slings, or pelvic tape) is a type of medical device that is implanted into the pelvis to support weak pelvic muscles. The device is designed like a sling or a hammock to prevent organs from prolapsing into the vagina (a condition called “Pelvic Organ Prolapse”) or a type of incontinence that occurs when weakened muscles allow the urethra to open (called “Stress Urinary Incontinence”).

Four major manufacturers of pelvic mesh are currently facing hundreds of pelvic mesh lawsuits, as part of the federal Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). These manufacturers are:

What is vaginal mesh erosion?

Vaginal mesh erosion (or exposure, extrusion, or protrusion) is a condition that occurs when pieces of the mesh wear through tissue. In most cases, the mesh protrudes into the vagina. Vaginal mesh erosion can also perforate the bladder, intestines, and blood vessels, which can cause severe pain, infection, sepsis, and life-threatening complications.

Vaginal mesh erosion usually must be corrected surgically to prevent infection. However, surgery does not always cure the condition. Erosion is often recurrent, and multiple surgeries and hospitalizations may be necessary. Each hospitalization may require IV treatment, blood transfusions, and drainage of hematomas or abscesses.

In some cases, patients must have the mesh removed. However, even if the implant is removed, there may still be long-term complications. One of the most common complications of vaginal mesh erosion is scarring, nerve damage, disfigurement of the vagina, or pain during sexual intercourse. This can severely decrease a woman’s quality of life, and also cause loss of consortium for her husband.

FDA Warnings about Vaginal Mesh Erosion

The FDA first published a Public Health Notification about the dangers of vaginal mesh back in October 2008. At the time, the FDA had received more than 1,000 reports of severe complications — and vaginal mesh erosion was the most common serious side effect.

In July 2011, the FDA published a Safety Communication Update, specifically warning that severe vaginal mesh complications are “not rare.” In fact, they said, “Erosion of mesh through the vagina is the most common and consistent reported mesh-related complication from transvaginal POP surgeries using mesh. Mesh erosion can require multiple surgeries to repair and can be debilitating for some women. In some cases, even multiple surgeries will not resolve the complication.”

In the communication, the FDA also warned about the risk of long-term complications due to vaginal mesh erosion:

“Mesh erosion and mesh contraction may lead to severe pelvic pain, painful sexual intercourse or an inability to engage in sexual intercourse. Also, men may experience irritation and pain to the penis during sexual intercourse when the mesh is exposed in mesh erosion.”

Studies of Vaginal Mesh

In 2007, researchers published this study which investigated vaginal mesh erosion in women who were implanted with the Gynemesh or Gynemesh-Soft.

  • 20% of women with these devices had vaginal mesh erosion
  • Older women were more likely to suffer from vaginal mesh erosion
  • 50% of patients with erosion required surgery to remove parts of the mesh, and 7% required complete removal of the mesh
  • 10% of women with vaginal mesh erosion suffered from pain during sexual intercourse, which decreased quality of life

Symptoms of Vaginal Mesh Erosion

One of the most common early symptoms of vaginal mesh erosion is pain in the pelvic area or vagina. Other symptoms may include:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Bloody bowel movements or urination (which may indicate perforated bowel or bladder)
  • Infertility
  • Physical changes in the pelvis area
  • Pain during sexual intercourse

Vaginal mesh erosion is usually diagnosed when a trained, experienced doctor performs a pelvic examination. If you are concerned that you may have pelvic mesh erosion, it is essential that you seek the guidance of a physician who is trained and experienced at diagnosing this vaginal mesh side effect.

Other Vaginal Mesh Side Effects

Vaginal mesh erosion is the most common vaginal mesh side effect, but there are also many other potential complications, including but not limited to:

  • Vaginal pain, or pain in the pelvic area
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Bleeding in bowel movements or urination
  • Perforation of the bowel, intestine, blood vessels, vagina, or pelvic tissue
  • Vaginal scarring
  • Nerve damage
  • Shortening and/or disfigurement of the vagina
  • Bleeding
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Recurrent prolapse of organs into the vagina
  • Neuromuscular problems
  • Emotional damage
  • Infection or sepsis, which can be life-threatening

Do I have a Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuit?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free vaginal mesh erosion lawsuit review.

Meet Your Attorney

Collen A. Clark

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

“Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

To contact Collen, please fill out the contact form below:

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