Ontario Vaginal Mesh Lawyers
Women who are suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI) may require a surgical procedure to rectify the medical issue. These medical complaints are quite common, and about one in five women will undergo surgery to address these issues in their lifetimes.
POP is a drop or bulge of pelvic organs. It can occur because of weakened tissue and/or muscle that are no longer able to support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. SUI in women is a leakage of urine during physical activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as exercise, coughing, sneezing, and laughing.
Often, surgical procedures to repair POP or SUI use surgical mesh. Depending on the condition, this surgical mesh can be implanted either as a sling, transabdominally, or transvaginally. Approximately 23,000 women in Canada undergo surgery using transvaginal surgical mesh each year.
The use of surgical mesh has become common in recent decades. Surgeries that use mesh slings have been proven to be more effective than POP procedures that do not use this surgical device, with a 70-80% success rate within one year following the surgery. However, due to increasing concerns over complications associated with the use of mesh implants, these products are being largely removed from the Canadian market.
After a recent safety review, Health Canada found that, compared to other treatment options, the transvaginal implantation of non-absorbable synthetic surgical mesh poses a greater risk of complications. However, unlike the United States’ Food and Drug Administration which has ordered makers of transvaginal surgical mesh implants to immediately stop sale and distribution of these products, Health Canada has determined that the medical device can still be used in specific cases, despite the risks associated with it.
If you underwent vaginal surgery that used surgical mesh and have sustained compensable injuries as a result, our Ontario personal injury lawyers may be able to assist you. To learn more, call 1-800-JUSTICE today.
Complications That Could Arise from the Use of Vaginal Mesh
The complications that can follow surgeries requiring the use of vaginal mesh can be painful, difficult to treat, and require additional surgery to rectify. According to a recent study, one in thirty women in Ontario who underwent surgery using vaginal mesh required mesh revision or removal surgery.
Common side effects arising from the surgical use of vaginal mesh include:
- Mesh erosion
- Damage to urethra, bladder, or rectum
- Vaginal shortening, tightening
- Chronic pain
- Pain during sex
- Urinary problems
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Recurrence of POP
- And more
As a result of the intense, chronic pain often associated with postoperative complications, women who have undergone surgery using vaginal mesh may be unable to continue performing the duties of their jobs. In addition to lost wages and a reduced earning capability, women experiencing complications often incur substantial financial losses related to the costs of further medical treatment and additional surgical responses.
Although the use of transvaginal surgical mesh has been widely halted throughout the country, it is still used for certain procedures, and therefore, continues to pose a risk to patients undergoing surgery. If you are experiencing postoperative complications that have impacted your quality of life and your ability to continue working, contact our Ontario personal injury lawyers today.
How Preszler Injury Lawyers May Be Able to Help
If you are experiencing painful, compensable injuries caused by the use of surgical mesh, our Ontario personal injury lawyers may be able to represent your best interests as part of a mass tort. Mass tort lawsuits involve numerous plaintiffs taking legal action against a single defendant, generally a large company or organization, such as the manufacturer of a dangerous or defective surgical product.
While experiencing painful, debilitating symptoms as the result of postoperative complications, it can be difficult to know where to turn for accountability and financial restitution. To learn more about how our personal injury lawyers serving Ontario may be able to help you recover the compensation you are rightfully owed, call Preszler Injury Lawyers and receive a free initial consultation on your case.
