LitPRO
A transvaginal mesh (TVM) is a net-like device that was once used to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women. These implants are usually made from polypropylene plastic, but some are fashioned from animal tissue. TVM got its name because it can be implanted through an incision in the vaginal wall to create a supportive wall for nearby organs, such as the bladder. This fleshy wall develops over time, as new tissue grows through the holes in the netting.
Gynecologists first started using meshes for POP in the 1970s. Transvaginal meshes came into use for treating POP and SUI in the 1990s. Millions of women have received TVM implants. Use of these meshes started to decline in 2011 as concerns about adverse events arose. The FDA asked TVM’s manufacturers to remove the devices from the market in 2016.
Today, more than 100,000 TVM recipients have filed lawsuits against the devices’ primary manufacturers. These suits allege serious complications arising from the implants, leading to organ damage, pain, infection, mesh erosion, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Many TVM patients have required surgical intervention to minimize these issues. Claimants are seeking monetary damages for healthcare expenses stemming from TVM failures, emotional distress, and lost income. Some plaintiffs also seek damages for the manufacturers’ failure to adequately evaluate the devices and for not warning patients about the devices’ risks.