Transvaginal mesh has been used for nearly a decade to combat pelvic organ prolapse in women in Oklahoma and across the country. When pelvic floor muscles become weak or stretched and can no longer support the pelvic organs, they can descend from their normal location and bulge (prolapse) into the vagina. Stress urinary incontinence, a leakage of urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising, is another indication for transvaginal mesh implantation. Transvaginal mesh is made from absorbable biologic material or porous absorbable or nonabsorbable synthetic material and acts as a sling to support sagging pelvic organs. Transvaginal mesh implantation is a surgical procedure.
After receiving 1,000 complaints of severe side effects from women with transvaginal mesh implants, the FDA issued a warning in 2008 concerning use of this medical device. The side effects include:
- Erosion of vaginal tissue and protrusion of mesh into the vagina
- Damage and perforation of pelvic organs, including the bladder and bowel
- Permanent nerve and blood vessel damage
- Inflammation, infection and scarring
- Bleeding
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Organ perforation
- Urinary problems
- Recurrent prolapse
Three years later, the FDA issued an update after receiving nearly three times as many complaints from transvaginal mesh recipients as it had prior to issuing the initial warning. The FDA reviewed the scientific literature to evaluate this technique further and found that erosion of mesh through the vagina was the most common and consistently reported complication. In many cases, it took multiple surgeries to correct. Without any product recalls being issued, victims turned to attorneys to draw attention to the dangers of this medical device, and Oklahoma transvaginal mesh lawsuits were launched.
The first successful litigation involving transvaginal mesh’s complications occurred in June of this year when a 47-year-old nurse was awarded $11.1 million in compensatory and punitive damages in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. Despite 18 surgeries to repair the damage caused by her implant, she still suffers from lingering effects. Hers was the first of 1,200 lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. Oklahoma transvaginal mesh lawsuits against this manufacturer and others are probable.
The manufacturers of transvaginal mesh include:
- CR Bard (Avaulta Solo, Avaulta Biosynthetic Support System, Avaulta Plus Biosynthetic Support System)
- Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Ethicon (Gynecare Prolift mesh, Gynecare Gynemesh, Gynecare Prolene mesh, Gynecare TVT sling)
- American Medical Systems (Elevate, Apogee, Perigee, Monarc, Sparc Sling)
- Boston Scientific (Pinnacle, Uphold System)
- Ugytex (Dual Knit Mesh)
- Mentor Corporation (OB Tape)
While some 20,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits are pending in separate federal litigations, there are thousands more possible cases of excruciating pain and ineffective results. If you have complications from transvaginal mesh, you should consider coming forward to initiate an Oklahoma transvaginal mesh lawsuit. It was recently reported that there were only 400 Oklahoma transvaginal mesh lawsuits currently being litigated. The plaintiffs claim that they were not properly warned about what could happen if their bodies rejected the mesh. As more and more reports of the procedure’s severe complications appear in the scientific literature and the media, you may see an increase in new Oklahoma transvaginal mesh lawsuits.
Oklahoma Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has experienced any complications from transvaginal mesh implantation, we urge you to contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma. Attorney Group for Oklahoma can answer questions, determine if you have a claim, and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can file an Oklahoma transvaginal mesh lawsuit on your behalf. There are no upfront costs to you. So contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma today for your free consultation.
