Archive for October 2012

Vaginal Mesh Safety

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which the vaginal floor has incurred damage and may no longer support the pelvic organs. It is because of the damaged pelvic walls, from which the pelvic organs may protrude into the vagina or even all the way to the vaginal opening. Although in this medical condition, it may also be possible to have more than one organ prolapse yet this is not always the case. One of the more popular methods of treating a pelvic organ prolapse is by undergoing a vaginal mesh implant and it is very important to identify what vaginal mesh you are using.

A transvaginal mesh (TVM) is the key to any vaginal mesh surgery. It may be used in a pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery or in a stress urinary incontinent repair procedure. The mesh will be required to enter the vagina during a pelvic organ prolapse surgery. After the mesh has been situated into the pelvic area, it may then be permanently set into place by stitching it onto the surrounding vaginal walls.

According to the Update on Safety and Effectiveness of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in terms of a vaginal mesh in treatment of POP, their review has shown that there is not enough evidence to suggest that a transvaginal mesh is better than traditional procedures. This statement may be due to the lack of assessments in the long-term perspective. Additionally, since a vaginal mesh procedure is often recommended to patients with pronounced prolapse issues, there might not be a more level basis for comparison.

The FDA may have been lacking data on the effectiveness of a vaginal mesh implant as compared to traditional methods. Yet they were not lacking data as to its safety. As a matter of fact, the FDA was able to compile more than one thousand reports in 2008 while the complaints filed in 2011 nearly reached four thousand.

The FDA has shown that vaginal mesh complications may lessen its safety. Knowing more about it in a vaginal mesh lawsuit reports may constitute the best advice. Bowel perforation, vaginal shrinking or scarring, urinary incontinence, recurrent prolapse, emotional problems and neuro-muscular problems are also some of the other complications that may arise after a surgery.

Sources:
fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/ucm262435.htm
fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/UroGynSurgicalMesh/default.htm
webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/news/20110713/fda-surgical-mesh-for-pelvic-prolapse-risky-unnecessary

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