Vaginal Mesh, Urethal Sling Complications

Use of Vaginal Sling During Surgery Linked to Increased Urethral Sling Complications 1 877 522-2123

Vaginal Mesh Helpline Medical  Update reports on a June 21, 2012 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, which found that though the insertion of a vaginal sling during surgery decreases the chances of postoperative urinary incontinence, it carries higher risks of urethral sling complications.*

The study analyzed data from 337 participants who underwent surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse (“POP”) between May 2007 and October 2009. The women were randomly assigned either a vaginal sling or sham incisions. The study found:

        After three months, 23.6 percent of women with the sling had urinary incontinence, compared to 49.4 percent without a vaginal sling.

        After 12 months, 27.3 percent of patients with the sling suffered from urinary incontinence, compared to 43 percent of those without.

        Those implanted with the sling suffered complications. Nearly seven percent of the sling group suffered bladder perforation, versus none in the control group.

        31 percent of women experienced urinary tract infections as a urethral sling complication, versus 18.3 percent in the non-sling group.

        Bleeding complications occurred in 3.1 percent of the sling group; incomplete bladder emptying occurred in 3.7 percent of the sling group. Neither occurred at all in the non-sling group.

Urethral Sling Complications Adds To Concerns About Vaginal Mesh Side Effects

According to an accompany commentary to the study, vaginal mesh slings are different from other types of transvaginal mesh used for POP repair. The slings are small and shaped like straps, approximately 1 cm wide and 10 cm long, while vaginal mesh sheets can span up to 10 cm wide and 20 cm long. In September 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) convened a panel to evaluate the safety of vaginal mesh implants. Although the agency recommended post market studies for transvaginal mesh, they did not require such studies for midurethral slings. The latest study raises questions about the risks and benefits of vaginal mesh slings. The FDA noted that the vaginal sling provides an “anatomic” benefit, but may not result in better symptomatic results. Since the study was limited to a one year follow up, the long-term consequences of urethral sling complications are still unknown.

Current vaginal mesh lawsuits are increasing. There are numerous vaginal mesh related implants creating severe complications. Many women do not realize that all of these are mesh devices and are part of the huge vaginal mesh lawsuits. The Vaginal mesh helpline currently has a number of pre screened experienced Tort lawyers  for women seeking to file vaginal mesh lawsuits. We cxan also help with doctors in some states.