What is Pelvic Mesh Injury?

A strong pelvic floor keeps organs like the bladder and cervix in place and fully functional, but when weak, it causes them to droop, a condition known as Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP). This condition is common among women after childbirth, menopausal changes, obesity, constipation, or a persistent cough that strains muscles and can also lead to Severe Urinary Incontinence (SUI). These life-altering issues can be corrected through a surgical mesh procedure. A surgical mesh is a lab-made medical product that supports weak organs or tissues.

Although these conditions aren’t life-threatening, there are risks associated with the procedure, like a pelvic mesh injury. So, what is a pelvic mesh injury? A pelvic mesh is made from plastic or animal tissues cut into different shapes and sizes to fit the need. However, the product has been reported to cause more injuries to women than expected help. If you have symptoms like extreme stomach pain and you can’t stand or walk naturally after pelvic mesh surgery, you may seek legal advice from a Chicago pelvic mesh attorney.

What is a Pelvic Mesh

The pelvic floor is a collection of muscles and connective tissues at the bottom of the pelvis, also known as the pelvic floor. These organs on the pelvic floor include the vagina, rectum, bladder cervix, bladder, and uterus. A pelvic or surgical mesh is what doctors recommend to help support pelvic organ prolapse. Some are made from plastic and others from animal tissue, but the latter isn’t recommended because it’s not as effective as the former.

Here are some problems associated with pelvic mesh surgery.

Feeling the mesh poking into your vagina
Continuous bleeding or heavy vaginal discharge
Severe pain in the pelvis or groin
Painful sex, either you or your partner

Even without any of these symptoms, keep up your routine care. This way, your healthcare provider can monitor and watch for any issues and administer prompt treatment if the need arises.

How Surgical Mesh is Used to Curb Pelvic Floor Disorders

A surgical mesh can manage Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and SUI in women.

Here are two common ways to fix the issue.

Abdominal Surgery - Through a surgical procedure, a surgeon can insert a pelvic mesh to strengthen a weak vaginal wall. The surgery can be performed through a small cut in the stomach to allow the insertion of a surgical mesh.
Vaginal Surgery - A surgeon cuts through the vagina, but no mesh is inserted this time. The surgeon stitches (sutures) the damaged tissues back in place. Treating POP by inserting a mesh through the vagina is not recommended, as it can increase post-surgery problems and lead to injuries.

Complications Related to Vaginal Mesh surgery

The risks and benefits might vary depending on how a mesh is used. Inserting a surgical mesh through the vagina to manage POP can be dangerous and cause problems that can further alter your life in the wrong way. So, if you’ve undergone surgery and are facing complications, you need immediate help.

When a mesh is used to repair SUI, it can result in other problems, like the mesh sticking out through the surgery cuts into the vaginal canal. This complication is known as mesh exposure or erosion, which might not pose any symptoms. In such cases, victims will claim to have spotting, discomfort during sexual intercourse, and vaginal discharge.

Although serious problems are uncommon, they can be;

Heavy vaginal discharge and pain-signaling infections
Perforation of nearby organs
Vaginal scarring
Recurrence of POP when the mesh fails
Worse SUI, discomfort during urination,
Persistent pelvic pain

Hostile Signs After a Pelvic Mesh surgery

The most common and adverse symptom women report experiencing after pelvic mesh surgery is chronic pain. It’s so severe that some women take opioid painkillers to get by and overcome the pain. Moreover, the pain makes it difficult for some women to sit or stand comfortably.

As a result, individuals with such difficulties are forced to use crutches or wheelchairs for support to move around. Individuals with mobility issues are subjected to using standing has led crutches or wheelchairs. Another problem women suffer is pain during sex, which has led them to lose a sex life or partner.

Besides urinary incontinence, individuals might also hemorrhage, have bowel issues, and in extreme cases, have autoimmune issues like brain fog, hair loss, or fatigue. Other psychological effects are depression, social withdrawal, anxiety, suicidal feelings, and attempts. Some individuals have lost their jobs, suffered financial poverty, and collapsed relationships.

Can a Transvaginal Mesh be Removed?

Pelvic mesh is designed to be permanent, and removing it is difficult to, even for patients experiencing complications. The surgery is complex and technical because tissue grows in and around the mesh. Therefore, removing the mesh without damaging tissue and surrounding organs complicates it. In the UK, only a few surgeons can operate, and many women travel overseas to have them removed. Due to the complications surrounding pelvic mesh surgery, the procedure is no longer performed in the US.

While removing mesh implants, physicians try to get rid of as much mesh as possible, then repair damaged tissue. Successive surgery procedures might be necessary to correct POP, SUI, or severe problems related to the mesh. How much mesh a surgeon can remove depends mainly on the kind of mesh used and the patient’s circumstances.

Mesh Product Litigation Claim

You can file a lawsuit against the company behind the pelvic mesh product if you suffer complications from its use that directly result from the manufacturer’s negligence. A company that produces a medical device or product for a specific function yet puts users in danger without informing them of the risks can face a lawsuit. The lawsuit is based on selling a defective product. Therefore, if you’re suffering from complications related to transvaginal mesh products, you can sue for not being provided with adequate information on the risks of the implant.

Some materials used to make mesh products cause severe inflammatory reactions in individuals and can result in the device shrinking or retracting. As a result, a patient may require subsequent surgeries to remove the device, which is also a health risk. To some plaintiffs, the mesh has caused adverse irreversible damage like chronic pelvic pain, nerve damage, and organic perforation.

Who Can File?

Anyone with a mesh surgery can make a legal claim against the manufacturing company, but only those who have suffered pelvic mesh injuries can pursue a case.

Here are some examples of harm from pelvic mesh that need legal services.

Organ damage
Recurring severe symptoms like infections,
Severe urinary problems
Vaginal scarring
Bowel problems and incontinence

If you’re experiencing some complications from pelvic mesh surgery, seek medical attention from a urogynecologist. This way, you can determine if the difficulties you’re facing result from the mesh product and seek its removal. Any patient suffering from these complications and knowing nothing about pelvic mesh dangers should consider legal representation.