Bard Avaulta Surgical Mesh Lawsuits

May 08, 2011 (Press-News.org) Bard Avaulta Surgical Mesh Lawsuits

Implantable medical devices from artificial hips to heart values have made it possible for people to have healthier, longer and more productive lives. There can be a dark side to these devices, however, as sometimes they are more harmful than helpful.

For example, in October 2008, the FDA issued a warning regarding the potential danger of surgical meshes after receiving more than 1,000 adverse-event reports. Since the FDA warning, a number of women have filed product liability lawsuits against C.R. Bard, Inc. and other mesh manufacturers claiming that defective surgical meshes caused them serious injury when used to treat Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

A POP occurs when the pelvic organ's supporting muscles weaken or stretch, causing the pelvic organs to slip out of place. Treatment options depend on the severity of a patient's prolapse. When physical therapies, devices such as pessaries or medications fail to relieve problems, surgical repairs may be necessary.

Surgical mesh reinforcement is a common treatment for prolapse that has helped many patients. However, as indicated by the FDA notice to nine surgical mesh manufacturers including Bard, several significant complications are possible.

Based on reports received by the FDA, many patients who had surgical mesh reinforcement surgery experienced surgical complications including: pain, infection, bowel and bladder perforation, stress incontinence, prolapse recurrence, inflammation, fibrotic reaction, pain during intimate relations, shrinkage of tissues including the vagina, and movement of the mesh after implantation.

Some patients required additional surgeries, blood transfusions and even treatment for hematomas and abscesses.

Even though the FDA has not issued a formal recall yet, several injured patients throughout the country have filed lawsuits against surgical mesh manufacturers such as Bard. As a result, a U.S. District Court judge established a federal multi-district litigation forum for pretrial proceedings, and future filings may be referred there for centralized handling.

In 2003, the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that nearly 200,000 POP surgeries are performed annually, and most POP surgeries involve surgical mesh implantation. With this large number of surgeries, thousands of women may be suffering serious health problems from defective surgical mesh. If you have experienced complications after surgical mesh implantation, contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in mesh liability litigation to discuss any legal claims you may have.

Article provided by Greene, Ketchum, Bailey, Walker, Farrell & Tweel
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