Is the use of surgical Mesh safe?

March 8, 2016 - PRLog -- Many women have been left in pain, unable to walk and with long term effects from the use of surgical mesh insertion for woman with SUI and POP.

These complications can be life changing and devastating for a patient.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) are symptoms which women commonly suffer with after childbirth.

The increasing use of mesh for treatment of SUI and POP has raised questions over the long term implications of using mesh and there is growing controversy over their use, specifically whether they are safe.

Although there is no outright ban on the use of mesh for treatment of POP or SUI, many Trusts and Health Boards throughout the UK have decided to stop the use of surgical mesh as first line treatment. The decision to stop using mesh was made following the release of NICE Guidelines.

For clinicians who continue to treat POP and vaginal mesh, NICE have prepared Guidelines to follow that focus on obtaining the correct consent from patients and ensuring they understand the risks and complications that are associated with mesh when used for POP.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust is one of many Trusts who have stopped using mesh in SUI and POP as a result of the highlighted problems that the NHS is undergoing.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital made the decision to stop using the mesh following release of the NICE Guidelines outlined above, and have been writing to patients who have had surgery performed by a Mr Arunkalaivanan, a former employee of the Trust.

Dr Arunkalaivanan continued to operate on patients with POP using a mesh following the Trusts decision to stop use.  He acted directly against hospital safety and has put his patients at risk. Patient Safety is of utmost importance in any hospital, and it is up to the hospitals to ensure that their staff including, Doctors and consultants are following hospital procedure, as failure to do so can be catastrophic to a patient’s health.

Emma Scourfield, Head of Medical Negligence at NewLaw said, “Undergoing surgery is traumatic enough but usually there is hope that whatever the problem is, will actually be fixed.

‘Having to endure further surgery time and again, due to the long term implications can have a devastating effect on the patient for life.

‘Unfortunately, some symptoms and problems may take years to come to the forefront.”

If you have undergone surgery for POP, had a mesh inserted, or been contacted by the hospital where you underwent surgery, whether you have or not suffered complications such as the ones identified above, we urge you to contact an experienced mesh claims solicitor.

Whether you are suffering from any of the symptoms or not, we would urge you to speak with a specialist medical negligence solicitor to discuss your experience.