What is a Transvaginal Mesh?
Transvaginal mesh is a surgical fabric or net that is implanted in a women’s pelvis and serves as a support or sling to hold the rectum, bladder and uterus in place so that they do not fall into the vagina. When the rectum, bladder and/or uterus fall into the vagina or the vagina protrudes out of the body, a pelvic organ prolapse has occurred. The muscles and ligaments are too weak to hold the organs in place and keep the opening of the vagina closed. When the Transvaginal mesh is implanted in the pelvis, it is attached to the pelvic muscles and ligaments. Cells that grow in the pelvis slowly fill the open spaces in the mesh creating a sort of hammock to keeps the pelvic organs from drooping.
Delivering babies vaginally, excessive smoking, obesity, heavy lifting, hysterectomy, aging or genetics make women prone to a pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is common. It occurs in 50 percent of women over the age of 50.
Side Effects of Transvaginal Mesh Implants
Although another type of surgical mesh has been successfully used in the past to treat hernias, pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, the Transvaginal mesh is not experiencing the same success. Thousands of women have reported serious complications during and after the mesh surgery. During the surgery, organs were punctured. After the surgery, women experienced the following symptoms:
- constant urinary tract infections
- reoccurrence of pelvic organ prolapse
- pain during sex
- disintegration of the mesh into the vagina resulting in pain, bleeding and discharge
- intrusion of the mesh into the bladder, bowel, urethra or rectum
- tears in the bowel, blood vessels and bladder
- damage to organs
- pain in the vagina, leg, abdomen and pelvis
- vaginal mesh rejection
- scarring
- bleeding
- neuropathy
- inflammation
- abscesses
Most of these complications require additional and corrective surgery. Numerous surgeries are required in an attempt to remove the mesh and may result in deformities and permanent injuries.
Why Are There Lawsuits?
After receiving 3,000 complaints since 2008, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that the side effects of the vaginal mesh devices weren’t rare and the risks of using these devices outweighed the benefits. Due to this warning, injured victims are seeking compensation and filing lawsuits.
In 2010, 300,000 women had the vaginal mesh device implanted. According to the FDA, 10 percent of these women had serious complications, which remain unresolved after corrective surgeries. Many Transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed. Injured victims are trying to get compensation for:
- injuries
- pain and suffering
- past and future medical bills
- loss of consortium
- lost wages
- permanent disability
- emotional distress
Kentucky Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
Kentucky Resident Wooten vs. Ethicon Manufacturer
Melissa G. Wooten and John Wooten are Kentucky residents who filed a Kentucky Transvaginal mesh lawsuit against Ethicon, one of the manufacturers of the Transvaginal mesh device. In 2007, Melissa Wooten had an Ethicon Transvaginal mesh device implanted in Kentucky. She had serious complications such as bleeding, infections, urinary and bowel issues and pain. Wooten filed a Kentucky Transvaginal mesh lawsuit. Wooten’s Kentucky Transvaginal mesh lawsuit claims that Ethicon’s device is defective and that Ethicon was not only aware of the flaws but failed to warn the public.
Kentucky Resident Emerson vs. Ethicon Manufacturer
Mary Emerson, a Kentucky resident, filed a Kentucky Transvaginal mesh lawsuit against the Ethicon manufacturer. Emerson’s surgery took place in Kentucky. The Transvaginal mesh device failed and she endured mental and physical pain, physical deformity and permanent injury. She has had corrective surgery and will have more in the future. The Kentucky Transvaginal mesh lawsuit claims that Ethicon and other vaginal mesh manufacturers, “deliberately withheld information about the dangers of their vaginal mesh products and they actively and intentionally mislead the FDA, the medical community, patients, and the public at large.”
If you had Transvaginal mesh implant surgery and believe you have been suffered injury as a result, contact Attorney Group for Kentucky. Call them today before the statute of limitations runs out because time may be limited. Attorney Group for Kentucky can answer questions, advise you and help decide if you have a claim. If you have a valid case, we will connect you with an affiliated Kentucky transvaginal mesh lawsuit attorney, all at no cost to you. Contact us today for answers to your questions, and get started on your road to recovery.
