As a Dallas Fort Worth, Texas medical doctor and Transvaginal Mesh recall and Bard Avaulta mesh injury attorney I am providing this timely update for women who have been injured by defective transvaginal mesh implants.
What is Trans Vaginal Mesh?
Trans Vaginal Mesh is a synthetic fabric which is used to repair, reinforce and strengthen weakened tissues and is used as slings for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and in the transvaginal repair of a condition called pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that occurs when one of the pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus, bowel or rectum, prolapses from the normal position and pushes against the wall of the vagina.
This happens when the muscles and connective tissues holding the organs in place are weakened over time. When treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI), doctors use the mesh to support the urethra or the urinary bladder.
Trans Vaginal Mesh Update
In September, U.S. District Judge Goodwin issued an order for a second round of Bard Avaulta cases for preliminary trial dates in June 2013. The first Bard Avaulta mesh cases have trial dates beginning in February 2013.
The judge is overseeing MDLs established for federal transvaginal mesh lawsuits filed against C.R. Bard, American Medical Systems (AMS), Boston Scientific, Ethicon/Gynecare, and Coloplast.
What are Bell Wether Trials?
Bellwether trials occur in complex medical device and in defective drug litigation, where a number of lawsuits have been filed involving similar allegations. The outcome of these early cases is intended to allow parties to gauge how juries are likely to respond to evidence that is going to be presented in multiple cases.
The Bard Avaulta MDL transvaginal mesh litigation was centralized on the federal level in October 2010. 4 transvaginal mesh MDLs have been created in the AMS, Boston Scientific and Ethicon litigation.
Complications of Transvaginal Mesh
The FDA issued a safety alert in 2008 concerning serious complications associated with transvaginal devices. An updated health alert was issued stating that serious complications associated with transvaginal surgical mesh occurred and also stating that pelvic organ prolapse can often be treated without mesh. The complications from this treatment can be similar to and far more severe than the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
Recurrence of pelvic organ collapse
Severe vaginal and pelvic pain
Painful intercourse
Infection
Vaginal Scarring
Incontinence
Death
Manufacturers of Transvaginal Mesh Devices
C.R.Bard
Gynecare
Ethicon
Mentor Corp
Johnson & Johnson
Tyco Covidien
American Medical Systems
Boston Scientific
Read more here and visit my website for further information.
Click here for the US District Court Southern District West Virginia MDL
MDL No. 2187 | In Re C. R. Bard, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
MDL No. 2325 | In Re American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
MDL No. 2326 | In Re Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
MDL No. 2327 | In Re Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation
MDL No. 2387 | In Re Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Systems Products Liability Litigation