Vaginal Mesh Implant: Important Things You Need To Know Before Having a Surgery

Vaginal mesh surgery steams has been a popular treatment for women with either hernia and POP (Pelvic Organ Prolapse) – many have have been successfully treated over the last few years.

However, in the recent years, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), released official public announcements revealing the direct association of vaginal mesh implants and life threatening complications.  Complications have led to deaths in some patients.

Though death resulting from complications is statistically low, there are many reports of damaging side effects as a result of the vaginal mesh implants – now at over a thousand in the period 2008 to 2010.  As a result, the FDA has issued a public warning about the potentially dangerous health risks associated with a surgical mesh implant.

What is a Vaginal Mesh

The photo above shows a typical vaginal mesh implant.

There are three types of vaginal mesh

• the mini-sling,
• TVT (tension-free vaginal tape) sling, and
• the transobturator tape (TOT) sling.

The mini-sling is implanted with a metallic inserter that helps in the alignment near the mid-urethra.

The TVT sling is held in place by the patient’s body and is inserted through a vaginal incision.  This type of mesh also requires two incisions in the abdomen to let the sling pass through underneath the urethra.

Lastly, the TOT Sling allows the surgeons to gain more placement control.  More details about these types of implants here.

10 Important things to consider before surgery

We need to be vigilant when it comes to making life-changing decisions that can directly affect your well-being and health.

With the increasing number of complaints about the complications of vaginal mesh implants, the FDA is advising all patients to consider the following before agreeing to undergo a vaginal mesh surgery.

1. Tell your surgeon if you have a history of allergy or a past reaction to mesh materials.
2. Ask your surgeon the advantages and disadvantages of using a transvaginal mesh.
3. Ask how many patients had successful surgeries.
4. Ask how your surgeon has dealt with complications that had occurred to his past patients.
5. Gather information on what are the things you will expect after surgery.
6. Ask your surgeon on what are the primary side effects you will experience after surgery.
7. Ask your surgeon what will happen if the mesh implant doesn’t treat your problem.
8. Ask your surgeon what you will do if a complication would occur after surgery.
9. Ask your surgeon if there are any side effects after surgery and how long it will occur.
10. Ask your surgeon what you need to do if a complication would arise and what will happen if you will decide to have the mesh removed.

These are just some of the most important things you need to consider before undergoing surgery.  If you have doubts, you should seek additional advice from health experts.

For more detailed information and latest updates of the FDA’s stand about transvaginal mesh, visit their website.