Medical science is an incredible marvel, but there are times when the results from a surgery are not what you expected. Millions of women suffer from weakened pelvic floor muscles that result in urinary incontinence or even pelvic organ prolapse. One treatment for this condition is to use transvaginal mesh to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, but the surgery is not always successful. The technique has been in use since the 1990s, and many women are now resorting to a Tennessee transvaginal mesh lawsuit to get the compensation they need to correct the resulting medical problems.
Understanding the Procedure
Surgeons in Tennessee and throughout the country want to avoid large incisions whenever possible. With this technique, the mesh can be attached to the pelvic floor by going through the vagina. This surgery is not used just for weak pelvic floor muscles, but it is prescribed when those weak muscles are causing incontinence or bladder prolapse. When the bladder or other pelvic organs start to press against the weak pelvic floor muscles, they can bulge into and even descend through the vaginal wall. While incontinence is embarrassing, organ prolapse is very painful and can cause other problems. The condition cannot be ignored, but a pending Tennessee transvaginal mesh lawsuit shows that the mesh is not necessarily the right answer.
Possible Complications
Residents of Tennessee have the option to potentially file a lawsuit if they have experienced the damaging side effects first-hand. These potential side effects can occur when the mesh sling contracts, moves, erodes or even protrudes from the body. Women report experienced painful intercourse, excessive vaginal discharge, scarring, skin breakage, pain, vaginal bleeding and shrinkage. Patients were also devastated to discover that the devices didn’t always work to correct the incontinence or prolapse of organs.
While the device poses many risks after insertion, it’s also important for women to know that just the insertion process is dangerous. Women have suffered perforations of the bladder, blood vessels and bowels, leading to surgical or medical interventions. Some women have required hospitalization as a result of the damage.
FDA Investigation and Withdrawal of Devices
At least one Tennessee transvaginal mesh lawsuit claims that manufacturers were aware of the dangers and did not disclose them in order to protect corporate interests. The lawsuits and serious injuries have prompted at least one manufacturer, Ethicon, to suspend the production and sales of their devices. The FDA continues to investigate the claims of damage and harm that are coming out of Tennessee and other states.
The FDA has recently issued a public safety warning about the safety issues and complications associated with this treatment. While it was advertised as a low-risk procedure, the FDA is concerned about the lack of testing and research that was done before the mesh went to the market for regular use. The FDA first reported that complications were possible but rare with transvaginal mesh in 2008, but as of 2011 they’re reporting that the complications are more common. They’ve ordered several manufacturers to conduct more studies regarding the safety of these devices. The Tennessee transvaginal mesh lawsuit filed by one Tennessee plaintiff accuses the company of specifically hiding the device’s failure from the public and failing to warn Tennessee residents about the dangers of the mesh.
A Tennessee transvaginal mesh lawsuit will not turn back the clock and undo the damage, but it can provide you with compensation to cover medical bills, corrective surgeries, pain and suffering, lost wages and a drop in the quality of your life. Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee if you have further questions or believe you may have a claim. We can help answer your questions, and help you decide if you have a claim, all at no cost to you.
