Archive for: October, 2011

ObTape Lawsuit

  • October 11, 2011

Stress IncontinenceMentor’s ObTape sling is a surgically inserted medical device used to treat female patients who suffer from stress urinary incontinence, or SUI. This condition, also known as the loss of bladder control, affects around 13 million people. 35% of people over 60 years of age suffer from urinary incontinence, with females being two times more likely to be afflicted. The ObTape vaginal sling seemed to be a perfect solution, until patients began reporting painful complications after surgery. Studies of patients with ObTape slings showed that the device can have very unpleasant and painful results including the erosion of the ObTape through the vaginal wall.

Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

What is ObTape Erosion?

ObTape erosion, also referred to as mesh erosion, graft erosion, and extrusion, occurs when the synthetic materials of the Ob sling push through the wall of the vagina or other organs. Many experts believe that ObTape causes erosion because the material composing the device is too dense to be fully incorporated into bodily function. The resultant erosion and expulsion cause various health problems including, but not limited to, discomfort during intercourse, constant vaginal discomfort, and malodorous vaginal discharge. After complications, the ObTape is usually surgically removed, but sometimes other smaller pieces of the device can be left behind, requiring further surgery.

ObTape Removed from Market

Repeated cases of erosion led to many adverse event reports being filed with the FDA in regards to Mentor’s ObTape sling device. According to one study published by the Journal of Urology, ObTape recipients suffered a 13.4% rate of erosion/extrusion. In 2006, after repeated complaints, Mentor Worldwide LLC pulled the ObTape sling from the market. However, before ObTape was removed from the market it was used in about 16,000 women. Many of these women may be experiencing the pain and discomfort of the erosion of ObTape through their vaginal walls.

ObTape Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney

Many patients suffering from ObTape sling complications wish that they had been adequately warned of the risks and potential complications before undergoing the operation. If you or a loved one is suffering from Ob tape sling injuries please call the Willis Law Firm. We have female consultants standing by, trained to discuss these sensitive issues confidentially. We are currently accepting ObTape sling injury lawsuits nationwide. Our product liability law team at the Willis Law Firm is committed to getting you answers and financial compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, physical pain, and emotional suffering. These cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis, which means that no attorney’s fees or any other expenses will be charged unless we recover for you. Speak to an ObTape Lawyer about your ObTape Lawsuit now and learn about the legal options available to you and your family.

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Filed under: Medical Devices

Vaginal Mesh Erosion Warning by the FDA

  • October 7, 2011

On 7-13-2011, the FDA issued an update to warn of further complications and adverse effects connected to the transvaginal placement of surgical mesh. A previous warning was issued in 2008, but the emergence of new complications in numerous patients necessitated an official update to the original warning. The most up to date FDA warning also acknowledges that the complications associated with transvaginal mesh are not rare, which is a modification from the previous warning. The number of complaints regarding vaginal mesh almost tripled in the past 3 years, and is currently approaching a shocking 3000. Vaginal mesh has been found to expose patients to greater risk than other more traditional forms of non-mesh methods of vaginal repair. According to the FDA warning, the use of vaginal mesh is “an area of continuing serious concern.”

Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

What is Vaginal Mesh?

Vaginal mesh and bladder slings along with ObTape are medical device composed of synthetic material implanted surgically for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapsed (POP). Vaginal mesh treats stress urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra to prevent unexpected bladder leakage, and strengthens weakened vaginal walls for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. The mesh is supposed to be a permanent solution to these conditions, however for many women the distressing consequences result in further surgery for its removal. Often times, these patients were not adequately warned of the possible complications and had they been aware, they might have chosen an alternative device or treatment method. In many cases stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapsed can be treated successfully without the use of mesh. Furthermore, using vaginal mesh, bladder slings and Ob Tape can make further surgical repairs more challenging.

Vaginal Mesh Erosion

Vaginal mesh erosion happens when the vaginal mesh, bladder sling and Ob Tape actually grinds through the fragile tissue of the vaginal walls. Also referred to as extrusion or protrusion, mesh erosion is the most regular and repeatedly reported mesh-related concern. According to the FDA warning, expulsion is a complication limited to transvaginal mesh and can be avoided through the use of conventional non-mesh surgical methods. Mesh erosion can require multiple invasive surgeries to fix and can be incapacitating for some women. In a number of severe cases, multiple surgeries will not even fully resolve the complication. Other potential risks associated with vaginal mesh include, but are not limited to, pain during sexual intercourse, recurring vaginal discharge, and persistent vaginal bleeding.

Talk to a Vaginal Mesh Lawyer Today

Many patients suffering from vaginal mesh, bladder sling or Ob Tape complications wish that they had been adequately warned of the risks and potential complications before undergoing the operation. If you or a loved one is suffering from vaginal mesh injuries please call the Willis Law Firm. We have female consultants standing by, trained to discuss these sensitive issues confidentially. We are currently accepting vaginal mesh injury lawsuits nationwide. Our product liability law team at the Willis Law Firm is committed to getting you answers and financial compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, physical pain, and emotional suffering. These cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis, which means that no attorney’s fees or any other expenses will be charged unless we recover for you. Call us toll free at 1-800-883-9858 for a free case evaluation about Filing a Lawsuit.

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Filed under: FDA Warnings

Bladder Sling Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

  • October 6, 2011

Bladder slings are medical devices used in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Many bladder slings have not met reasonable safety standards and patients have suffered various injuries because of bladder sling mesh erosion.

Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

Bladder Sling FDA Warning

On October 20, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a FDA Warning regarding serious complications associated with transvaginal placement of surgical mesh. The FDA warning stated that, over the last three years, it has received more than 1,000 reports from nine surgical mesh manufacturers of complications that were associated with surgical mesh devices used to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Bladder Sling Lawyer

The Willis Law Firm is aggressively investigating cases involving women who have suffered severe complications from bladder sling mesh erosion. If you, or a loved one, has suffered any of the following bladder sling side effects, contact our law firm immediately.

Bladder sling mesh erosion side effects include:

  • Pelvic Pain
  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Vaginal Bleeding
  • Vaginal Discharge
  • Mesh Erosion
  • Urine Leakage
  • Leakage Feces
  • Pain During Sex
  • Recurrence of Prolapse
Legal help: Contact an Attorney
Filed under: Medical Devices

ObTape Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

  • October 5, 2011

Recently, several lawsuits have been filed against the Mentor Corporation with regards to its poorly designed and manufactured ObTape Sling device. The trans-obturator tape sling was created to treat stress urinary incontinence in females, and was used in around 35,000 women between the years of 2003 and 2006. However, the Journal of Urology published a study in October of 2006 found substantial health risk and difficulties associated with ObTape. Most noteworthy was the finding that over 13% of ObTape sling patients suffered painful vaginal extrusions, meaning that the sling eroded through their sensitive vaginal tissues. Other estimates suggest that the percentage of women suffering from these difficulties is even higher, at around 17-18%. The removal of the ObTape sling requires additional surgery, and small pieces of the tape may remain in the body. Other complications included persistent vaginal discharge as well as inflammations.

Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

ObTape Lawsuits: Ineffective Design

The major problems and resultant injuries from Mentor’s Ob Tape sling are the result of its ineffective “nonwoven” design, and could have been prevented through the use of an alternative medical device. Because the surgical mesh in the ObTape sling is not woven and the material is so dense, it can end up blocking oxygen and other essential nutrients resulting in consequences more unpleasant and harmful than the stress urinary incontinence they began with. For these reasons, many firms have been filing lawsuits against the makers of ObTape to help sufferers through this difficult experience. ObTape lawsuits are filed on a contingency fee basis, so patients will not be charged any fees unless their ObTape lawyer recovers for them.

ObTape Symptoms

Common symptoms of an ObTape sling problem include vaginal pain, bloody discharge, high fever, long-lasting vaginal infections, and severe discomfort during intercourse. These indicators signal that you may be suffering from the adverse effects of ObTape, such as vaginal mesh erosion, or other debilitating problems. Complications from the ObTape sling may not appear until months or even years after the initial surgical procedure. Although ObTape has not been in use since 2006, many women have this device and may be suffering from the preventable and negligent complications.

ObTape Lawsuits: Speak to an Attorney

Many patients suffering from ObTape sling complications wish that they had been adequately warned of the risks and potential complications before going through with the operation. If you or a loved one is suffering from Ob Tape Sling injuries please call the Willis Law Firm. We have female consultants standing by, trained to discuss these sensitive issues confidentially. We are currently accepting ObTape Sling Injuries lawsuits nationwide. Our product liability law team at the Willis Law Firm is committed to getting you answers and financial compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, physical pain, and emotional suffering. These cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis, which means that no attorney’s fees or any other expenses will be charged unless we recover for you.

Legal help: Contact an Attorney
Filed under: Medical Devices

Vaginal Mesh, Bladder Slings and ObTape Lawsuits

Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
Transvaginal Mesh
(Mesh Erosion)		 Bladder Sling Lawsuits
Bladder Slings
(Mesh Erosion)		 ObTape Lawsuits
ObTape
(Mesh Erosion)

Surgical Mesh FDA Warning

On October 20, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a FDA Warning regarding serious complications associated with transvaginal placement of surgical mesh. The FDA warning stated that, over the last three years, it has received more than 1,000 reports from nine surgical mesh manufacturers of complications that were associated with surgical mesh devices used to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Vaginal Mesh Erosion Lawsuits

Mesh Erosion Side Effects

Vaginal mesh erosion side effects from transvaginal mesh, bladder slings and ObTape include:

  • Pelvic Pain
  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Vaginal Bleeding
  • Vaginal Discharge
  • Mesh Erosion
  • Urine Leakage
  • Leakage Feces
  • Pain During Sex
  • Recurrence of Prolapse

Vaginal Mesh Manufacturers

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Legal help: Contact an Attorney
Filed under: Medical Devices