The European Union’s Scientific Committee on emerging health risks has been charged with investigating the safety of pelvic mesh products. In the United States these implantable devices are the subject of tens of thousands of product liability law suits.
A number of these pelvic mesh products have been used in Ireland. The panel has been asked for an opinion on the safety of surgical meshes used in urogynecological surgery. The EU wants the panel to assess the risks associated with using the mesh devices to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women. In 2008, acting on reports filed in the previous three years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health notification about serious complications associated with mesh implants. The most common of which are mesh erosion through the vagina (also called exposure, extrusion, or protrusion), pain, infection, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, organ perforation and urinary problems.
The FDA updated its advisory in 2011 to warn that such complications are ‘not rare’. They warned women at the time and their doctors that mesh devices not only may not be more effective than traditional non-mesh surgeries for POP but may even expose patients to greater risk. The FDA directed more than 30 manufacturers to conduct post-market safety studies to investigate the effects of mesh implants and possible health concerns.
Liam Moloney of Moloney & Company Solicitors in Naas, Co Kildare is currently assisting patients in Ireland who have received these devices in investigating whether they have suffered injuries linked to the implantation of these devices. If you have received one of these devices and are suffering any of the above side-effects you may be entitled to claim compensation. Please contact our offices today at info@moloneysolicitors.ie or call Liam Moloney at 045-898000 to discuss your case in strict confidence.
