Five Multi-District Litigation trials regarding transvaginal mesh injuries are based out of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia. These five MDLs relating to transvaginal mesh, vaginal slings, and surgically-implanted pelvic support devices are being overseen by Chief District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. The MDLs comprise lawsuits against five medical device manufacturers, and what the plaintiffs claim are defective vaginal mesh devices.
These transvaginal mesh MDLs are the following:
- MDL No. 2187 Re: C.R. Bard, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
- MDL No. 2325 Re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
- MDL No. 2326 Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
- MDL No. 2327 Re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
- MDL No. 2387 Re: Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Systems Products Liability Litigation
According to the court minutes from a December 6, 2012 Status Conference, the first trial in the 5 MDLs will take place in early December 2013 starting with MDL No. 2325 regarding the pelvic support devices manufactured by American Medical Systems.
Transvaginal mesh and vaginal slings are used to treat women who are suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Transvaginal mesh and vaginal slings are employed as support and strengthening devices along the vaginal wall and urethra.
With an ongoing investigation into transvaginal mesh safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to regard the use of transvaginal mesh and vaginal slings in the treatment of POP and SUI “as an area of continuing serious concern.” Another concern that the FDA holds in regard to transvaginal mesh is the high number of adverse event reports they have received since 2008 totaling just under 3,000.
In its ongoing research, the FDA discovered that the most common side effect in patients who received a surgical implant of transvaginal mesh was vaginal mesh erosion. Though mesh erosion can be repaired with several surgical procedures, sometimes even surgery does not improve the health of patients, according to the FDA in their transvaginal mesh literature review.
Other serious health complications related to transvaginal mesh and vaginal slings include:
- infection
- painful intercourse
- intense pelvic pain
- bleeding
Attorneys at Carey Danis & Lowe are currently accepting claims by patients who believe that they have suffered from a surgical implant of a defective transvaginal mesh device. For a free consultation, contact an experienced defective device lawyer at 800.721.2519.
