Surgical Mesh Claims

Surgical Mesh Claims

A surgical mesh is a medical device made from a synthetic material that is used to support weakened tissues. These devices may be supplied in a variety of forms depending on their intended purpose. Surgical mesh implants have been used for many years to aid the repair of hernias but they are also used to treat women with a weak bladder or pelvic prolapse, both of which can occur after childbirth. Other factors include obesity, cancers relating to the pelvic organs and hysterectomy.

Vaginal mesh implants

For women who had experienced pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence after giving birth vaginal mesh treatment was often viewed as a better option than more invasive surgery. The procedure involves woven synthetic netting being implanted into the pelvis, firstly by making a small incision into the vaginal wall to fit the mesh itself and once in place allowing tissue to grow into it thus creating the support. A number of women, however, have experienced excruciating pain and seen their original symptoms worsen as a result of being fitted with them. Symptoms including bleeding, recurring infection and pain during sexual intercourse. Some of these can occur due to the erosion of the mesh into the vaginal wall, bladder wall or bowel. In some tragic cases, women’s experiences with mesh have been fatal.

Hernia mesh implants

Hernias have a high rate of recurrence and surgeons often use surgical mesh to strengthen the repaired area and therefore reduce the rate of recurrence. The mesh is implanted into the upper stomach, abdomen or groin and it is used to close an opening within the damaged muscle that allows a hernia to pass through. Delayed and long term complications can however result from hernia repair surgery where the doctor has used hernia mesh.  Patients have reported symptoms such as excessive pain, swelling and bruising, difficulty urinating, a high fever after surgery, nausea and other flu-like symptoms.

Surgical mesh complications

Surgical mesh is meant to help cure an injury or health problem but all too often it instead causes more damage. In some cases removal may be necessary because of the complications that arise. Materials within the mesh itself can sometimes trigger the body’s immune response causing the body to reject the mesh. Symptoms of mesh rejection include pain, tenderness and swelling at the surgical site, a redness of the surrounding skin and fever. In some cases the mesh has been known to detach itself after surgery leading to abscesses, adhesions, scarring and bowel obstruction. The most serious complication has involved mesh becoming attached to the intestines and further surgery has been needed to remove not only the mesh but parts of the intestine too. Some women after having undergone a transvaginal mesh procedure have reported various forms of emotional and psychological distress leading to broken relationships and unemployment.

If you have developed complications after having had a surgical mesh implanted or you feel you weren’t fully informed of the risks prior to having your surgery you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Please do call our specialist solicitors for a no cost confidential discussion on 0800 122 3130. We will help to answer any questions you may have on making a claim and will help support you every step of the way.

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