A Mother’s Guide to Mesh Implants: The Facts on Mesh Surgery

Many women will tell you that being pregnant and becoming a mum was the best experience of their life. What is less talked about, however, are the complications that can sometimes occur. Pregnancy and birth put huge strain on the body and women can suffer long term complications as a result.

According to the NHS, more than 127,000 women in the UK have had mesh and tape implants to treat conditions such as prolapse and incontinence that typically follow childbirth.

In this guide, we want to provide you more information on the use of mesh and make you aware of the potential health risks.

What is a mesh implant?

Mesh implants are most commonly used to treat stress urinary incontinence in women, but they can also be used to treat hernias and prolapse in men, women and, in some cases, even children.

The material used in mesh implants is the same synthetic material, polypropylene, found in certain drinks bottles and it can erode or protrude after it is inserted.

For incontinence issues, the most common form of treatment involves placing medical mesh under the urethra, so it acts like a sling to keep it in place – this is known as tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). Other types of mesh are TVT-O or rectopexy.

You may also hear the terms ‘TOT’ which stands for transobturator tape or ‘MUS’ (mid-urethral slings).

Unfortunately, for many women, mesh implants have not only failed to resolve the problem they were being used to treat, but have led to further, and often debilitating, complications and side effects.

What complications and side effects can be caused by mesh implants?

A long list of side effects has been reported by women who have received mesh treatment. These include:

• Internal bleeding
• Bladder infections
• Vaginal scarring
• A difficulty or inability to walk
• Severe and persistent pain
• Incontinence
• Inability to have sexual relationships/ Dyspareunia

The majority of people who have had mesh surgery were told by their surgeons that it was the gold standard of treatment. They often weren’t made aware of alternative options, let alone the potential side effects.

Can you get a mesh implant removed?

Mesh removal is possible for some women, but not for all.

Unfortunately, some women who have undergone mesh removal surgery have reported that material has been left behind, meaning they are still suffering. A surgeon once described the removal of an implant from the pelvis to removing chewing gum from hair.

Victims of mesh injuries are often scarred for life, physically and mentally.

What can I do if I’ve been affected?

If you or a loved one believe a mesh implant is the cause of your suffering, it’s important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible. Your doctor should refer you for further testing to determine the cause of your problems.

Sadly, many women have found that medical professionals have failed to diagnose the cause of their problems or have dismissed them. If you are in pain and you have had mesh surgery, don’t be afraid to demand a second opinion and further tests.

If your mesh implant is identified as the cause of your pain and suffering, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. It is important to choose an experienced medical negligence law firm who has handled vaginal mesh claims before.

Author bio: Thompsons Solicitors has a specialist unit running over 400 claims for mesh surgery and believes that mesh may be the biggest medical scandal to hit the UK since thalidomide.

If you think you’ve been affected by mesh surgery contact Thompsons’ medical negligence lawyers by calling 0800 0 224 224.

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