Vaginal Sling Complications Can Be Severe
For many women, physical exertion, such as coughing, exercise, heavy lifting, or sneezing can cause an accidental leakage of urine. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), as it is known, is the most common type of urinary incontinence found in women. Stress incontinence may be caused by a weakened pelvic muscles that supports the bladder and urethra or because the urethral sphincter is not working correctly. Weakness may be caused by:
-Childbirth
-Injury to the urethra area
-Some medications
-Surgery in the prostrate or pelvic area
Sometimes, vaginal sling procedures are performed in an effort to control stress incontinence. However, in July of 2011, the FDA advised doctors that most cases of pelvic organ prolapse can be effectively treated without the use of a bladder sling. Unfortunately, many women in the Atlanta metropolitan area who have had vaginal mesh implants have experienced:
-Complications during sex
-Corrosion of the mesh
-Hardening of the mesh
-Infection
-Injury to nearby nerves
-Pelvic Pain
-Urinary problems
-Vaginal pain and discomfort
Urinary incontinence is typically caused by an underlying medical condition that is usually treatable without the need of surgery. Moreover, there is no indication that bladder slings help women when its main use is treating pelvic organ prolapse.
Manufacturers of these devices have failed to warn patients and healthcare practitioners of the possible problems associated with the vaginal mesh. Furthermore, surgery is only recommended after the exact cause of urinary incontinence has been found. Most of the time, healthcare providers will attempt retraining the bladder or Kegel exercises before surgery is even considered.
Unfortunately, many women throughout the Atlanta area have suffered injuries caused by vaginal mesh systems that have been marketed by a number of different medical device manufacturers. And as a malpractice lawyer, I am always examining possible claims on behalf of women who have received any kind of surgical mesh or bladder sling to repair pelvic organ prolapse.
