What Is Surgical Mesh and Why is It Dangerous?

Last week a jury in Philadelphia found Johnson & Johnson guilty of designing dangerous pelvic mesh and hit the company with a $20 million verdict for injuries blamed on the dangerous pelvic mesh implant. Transvaginal mesh has also been the subject of lawsuits across the country as these mesh implants have caused pain, bleeding, and significant injuries.

What is Surgical Mesh?

Surgical mesh is a medical device that is used to provide extra support when repairing weakened or damaged tissue. Most surgical mesh devices are made from synthetic materials or animal tissue.

The most common mesh is made from polypropylene, a flexible, woven plastic that can be cut into different sizes and shapes, depending on the procedure it is used for.

Why is it Dangerous?

In 2016 the FDA classified surgical mesh as a “high-risk device.” Mesh is intended to be a permanent medical device implant. It “meshes” with the body as tissue grows over and into the mesh. Experts say removing the mesh that has integrated with the body is like removing gum from hair or reinforcing bars from cement.

Research has shown that surgical mesh can cause complications such as mesh erosion, pain, infection, bleeding, pain during sex, organ perforation, and urinary problems. Many of these complications require additional treatment, including surgery.

The FDA recommends you ask your surgeon why surgical mesh is being chosen for your particular procedure and what alternatives there are. The reason for this caution is that surgical mesh may put you at risk for additional surgeries and complications, including life-changing complications that cannot be resolved even after additional surgeries for treatment.

What Should You Do?

If you are one of the thousands of people who have had surgical mesh implanted and suffered complications, contact the lawyers at The Collins Law Firm P.C. for a free evaluation of your case.