A new study shows that nearly 25% of all vaginal bulge surgeries to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) fail and that symptoms generally return within seven years. The study’s results may complicate matters for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, which is trying to determine whether vaginal bulge surgery or surgery using transvaginal mesh implants is safer and more effective for women. The FDA has asked more than 30 TVM manufacturers to conduct further studies.
JAMA Study Reviews Data on 225,000 Women
A new survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that women who undergo vaginal bulge surgery to treat POP – a condition in which the uterus or vaginal walls bulge into the vagina – experience only temporary relief from symptoms.
According to Bloomberg News, researchers reviewed medical data on 225,000 women who underwent surgery without using transvaginal mesh products and concluded that the surgery failed in one of four cases. When researchers took into account the return of POP symptoms and a renewed vaginal bulge, the percentage increased to 48% after seven years. In addition, researchers concluded that 81% of women who didn’t have another procedure developed incontinence, compared to 75% of women who did.
Is Transvaginal Mesh Better?
The bottom line is – no. For years, researchers have said that TVM isn’t any more effective than traditional vaginal bulge surgery. While the results of the recent JAMA survey suggest that traditional surgery may not be as effective as previously thought, surgeries using TVM appear to have worse results.
Thousands of women have experienced serious transvaginal mesh injuries such as:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Mesh erosion through the vagina, including exposure, extrusion, or protrusion
- Organ perforation
- Pain
- Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)
- Urinary problems
Many of the injured women have had to undergo numerous painful surgeries, and some have been left disabled. Thousands of transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers. The first lawsuit to go to trial recently resulted in an $11.1 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn the plaintiff about the increased risk of TVM implant injuries.
Contact The Driscoll Firm, LLC, Today
If you’ve been injured because of a transvaginal mesh implant, contact The Driscoll Firm, LLC, today to discuss your situation and determine whether you might have legal recourse against the manufacturer. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, physical and emotional pain and suffering and more. We’ve recovered over $170 million for our clients. How can we help you?
