Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a debilitating bladder condition that results in a leakage of urine during physical activity. There are several available treatments, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. One surgical method is transvaginal mesh surgery, but this has been found to have painful, long-term complications in a large number of patients.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began reviewing the safety of the transvaginal mesh surgery in 2011. If you have been injured as a result of transvaginal mesh surgery, it is important to contact an attorney who is experienced in handling defective medical device cases. Our attorneys handle these types of cases. For a free legal consultation, call 800-379-1244 or use our contact form.

How SUI Occurs

SUI occurs when a woman’s pelvic tissues and the muscles which support the bladder are weakened. Abdominal contractions during physical activity such as exercise can trigger a leakage. Laughing, coughing, sneezing and other movements can have the same result.

About 20 to 40 percent of women suffer from SUI, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s July 2011 update on Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh.. The condition is caused by physical changes that stretch the body, such as pregnancy, childbirth, weight gain, sports injuries and menopause. Women are more likely to suffer SUI if they have given birth several times.

There are three main types of urinary continence, according to Medline Plus. SUI is the most common among women. The other types are urge incontinence and overflow incontinence.

Older women are most likely to suffer from SUI, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. While SUI is more common among women, men can also suffer from it after surgery to remove the prostate gland to treat cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Women with SUI may be able to treat the problem through exercises and lifestyle changes, such as limiting intake of water and caffeine. Other options include implantation of a pessary device, collagen shots and transvaginal mesh surgery.

How Transvaginal Mesh Surgery is Used to Treat SUI and the Complications

During transvaginal mesh surgery, surgical mesh is permanently implanted inside a woman’s body in the form of a sling. When used to treat SUI, the surgical mesh is intended to provide support for the urethra.

Surgical mesh is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a Class II medical device. The FDA issued its first public health notification concerning transvaginal mesh complications in October 2008. The FDA upgraded the warning on July 13, 2011, after receiving reports of more than 3,800 complications since 2005. The agency is currently reviewing the safety of surgical mesh, but in its July 13, 2011 warning, the agency asked health care providers and patients to only choose transvaginal mesh surgery after carefully assessing all other options.

The FDA reports 10 percent of women who have undergone transvaginal mesh surgery suffered from mesh erosion within a year of surgery. Other possible complications include infection, bleeding, pain during intercourse, organ perforation, urinary problems, vaginal scarring and neurovascular muscular problems.

These conditions may be corrected through surgery and medical treatment. In some cases, multiple procedures and hospitalization may be required. Some conditions cannot be corrected.

Transvaginal surgical mesh has not been recalled, but lawsuits have been filed across the country by women who have suffered injury.

Contact Breakstone, White & Gluck for a Free and Confidential Legal Consultation

The Boston product liability lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck specialize in handling cases involving defective medical devices. If you have experienced injuries as a result of transvaginal mesh surgery, it is critical to preserve your rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us today at use our contact form.

You can learn more about our results for clients by visiting our Case Results page.