Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition in which organs like the urethra or bladder fall into the pelvic cavity due to stretched or weakened pelvic muscles. The condition affects nearly 1 out of every 10 women in the United States after childbirth, a hysterectomy or menopause.
Each year, approximately 75,000 women undergo surgery to repair prolapse or the resulting stress urinary incontinence with the implantation of mesh devices. This procedure is sometimes referred to as a bladder sling or transvaginal mesh implant.
The mesh device can be implanted through the abdomen or, more often, through the upper vaginal wall. When the mesh devices are implanted through the vaginal wall, serious complications can occur.
The FDA has received thousands of reports of side effects from women undergoing a prolapse mesh repair such as infection, bleeding, organ puncture, mesh erosion and vaginal bulging.
Studies show that as many as 15% of women could face these complications within a few months of the time they undergo their prolapse repair surgery.
The more than ten medical device manufacturers that sell mesh devices for transvaginal prolapse repair have done so with limited clinical safety testing and using a fast-track approval procedure by the FDA.
Those companies are now liable for the injuries and damages caused by their defective mesh devices. Lawyers are helping thousands of women injured by these implants file claims and have recovered millions for victims so far.
If you have suffered any injury or side effect after undergoing a prolapse repair surgery, it is important to know your legal rights. Contact us today for a confidential evaluation of your case and to speak with a lawyer.