A new lawsuit has been filed because a plaintiff alleges pelvic mesh erosion caused unnecessary injuries about which she was never warned. Plaintiff Jill L. filed the personal injury lawsuit against Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson and other related companies that developed the medical device known as pelvic mesh or vaginal mesh.
The pelvic mesh erosion lawsuit names the defendants as responsible for failing to make consumers and physicians aware of the risks associated with the pelvic mesh product. In 2004, the plaintiff in this most recent pelvic mesh erosion lawsuit was implanted with a pelvic mesh product.
According to the lawsuit, Jill developed vaginal bleeding and dyspareunia. A physical exam in November of 2005 identified a mesh erosion problem near the vagina and the patient was diagnosed with post-menopausal bleeding due to the mesh erosion.
A procedure was completed a few weeks later to remove the eroded vaginal mesh, however, the plaintiff alleges that she continued to experience an increase in urinary tract infections, dyspareunia, pain, mesh erosion, bleeding and may require further surgical procedures in the future.
How do Pelvic Mesh Products Work?
Vaginal mesh products are designed to assist women who suffer from discomfort, pain, stress, and urinary incontinence tied to the damaged or weakening of the walls of the vagina. They are marketed as products that will help to restore the typical vaginal structure by implanting polypropylene mesh in the vaginal wall.
While pelvic mesh products are often used to treat both pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, the majority of injury reports concern pelvic organ prolapse. Any female who has been diagnosed with this condition may be affected by serious side effects should she decide to go forward with pelvic mesh surgery.
The pelvic mesh product named in the lawsuit obtained FDA approval through the section 510 medical device amendment to the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. This allows a faster track to FDA approval for medical devices if a manufacturer stipulates and the FDA believes that the device is substantially equivalent to other legally devices on the market at that time.
Signs of Pelvic Mesh Erosion
Knowing of the problem is vital for flagging it immediately and getting help. Some of the most common symptoms that you might be suffering from pelvic mesh erosion include bleeding, pain in the location of the surgery, recurrent bladder infections, and pain or leakage associated with urination.
Should you begin to experience these, contact your doctor right away. He or she may recommend a revision surgery to remove the mesh, but this could come with complications as a result of potentially adhered mesh.
According to academic studies, the pelvic mesh products made by the defendants have high rates of injury, complications and failures, often requiring comprehensive re-operation procedures.
The lawyers at McDonald Worley are currently scheduling consultations with victims who have suffered from pelvic mesh erosion. Contact them today for a FREE case evaluation.