AMS Transvaginal Mesh Complications

Seattle, WAUnderstandably many women suffering from AMS transvaginal mesh complications don’t want their names published. Many of them are too embarrassed to speak with a TVM attorney—even a female. Some AMS transvaginal mesh sufferers have told this reporter that they can’t even bring themselves to complain to their family doctors about such intimate problems.

Even more troublesome is that a number of physicians are still unaware that transvaginal mesh is defective. One physician interviewed just two weeks ago (and wishing to remain off the record) was shocked and surprised that SPARC transvaginal mesh made by AMS (American Medical Systems) and TVM by other manufacturers was associated with any side effects!

One reason the public and to some extent, the health community, is still in the dark is because this medical device has been categorized as a Class 2 by the FDA (See more information on device classification .) But with more TVM lawsuits, attorneys predict the FDA will reclassify the mesh to a Class 3.

One woman, let’s call her Susan, suffered from incontinence after her twins were born. On her doctor’s advice she was implanted with transvaginal mesh manufactured by AMS.

Here are Susan’s complaints—which are consistent with most other TVM victims--since she had the mesh surgery about one year ago:

• Constant urinary tract infections
• My lower stomach is always bloated and feels full
• Severe lower back pain, so bad I need to have injections
• My vagina feels like something is pushing out of it all the time
• My vagina constantly has a discharge, which causes irritation and bumps.
• Intercourse is too painful and my vagina is very dry all the time.

And a most severe complication-- mesh erosion.

This from a woman in Manhattan: “The mesh has eroded into my vagina and it has caused scarring inside. I have some blood in my urine and I have been seeing my doctor once a month for the past six months for urine and blood tests. He has told me that I could have long-term infection and I should consider having the mesh removed.”

When, and if, women can find a physician to undertake revision surgery, it isn’t a guarantee that all the eroded mesh can be removed. According to one doctor, physicians are reluctant to perform revision surgery because they don’t want to clean up someone else’s mess, literally, and they haven’t been trained in such procedures.

The following women had revision surgery…

Janice in Toronto: “I had POP repair surgery with transvaginal mesh in 2007 and due to mesh erosion I had revisions and partial removals of mesh: once in 2008 and two more surgeries in 2009—bits of mesh were removed each time. I still suffer from pain, bleeding, infections, painful intercourse, time off of work (without pay) and frequent urination."

Elaine in Detroit: “I am suffering from mesh erosion due to prolapse repair with AMS polypropylene mesh. I am in chronic pain especially during sex, I have bleeding, my bowels are torturous and adhered to the left side. If that isn’t enough I still suffer from incontinence and infections. So far I have had three surgeries that have only partially removed the mesh. My doctor told me that during the last surgery the mesh was coming through in three places and I need yet another surgery.

"I have lost my marriage due to these complications.”

American Medical Systems, based in Minnesota, produces SPARC, which is a type of transvaginal mesh patch designed to treat stress incontinence. Defective medical device lawsuits have been filed against AMS, alleging injuries and health complications.