Solicitors For Women
Mesh Complication Surgery
Mesh Complication Surgery has been hard to access for the thousands of women who have suffered with injury. Then all of a sudden there was a rise in centres which offered women help, guidance and treatment. However, not all complications need a surgical outcome. In some cases women were made worse by the corrective surgery. Some underwent wholly unnecessary surgery such as hysterectomy, prolapse repair, or removal of mesh in stages. Each subsequent surgery adds to the risks of anaesthetic use, surgical recovery, scarring, pain and absence from work.
Concerns about Mesh Complication Surgery
Care for those who have suffered is essential. Current provision is hard to access and variable. There is no doubt that there should be centres that provide specialist care for mesh-injured women. There are many centres around the country that registered with the British Society for Urogynaecology as having the expertise to remove mesh, where that is possible, and provide other services for women with complications.
These centres should be communicating the complications that they see with MHRA and wider clinical networks relating to the use of mesh for SUI and POP.
However, we have concerns over mesh removal services. A number of clients have experienced additional unnecessary surgery, worsening of their conditions and the development of new complications due to intervention. These issues have been identified in The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review Chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege CBE DL.
The report identified that there is currently no consensus among specialist surgeons over the relative risks and benefits of full and partial mesh removal, or which techniques and approaches should be offered, and hence over what is best for each woman. 
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. It is silent on these matters and thus there is little guidance for women or doctors as to the best treatment for different complications.
Outcome data, especially long-term data, for mesh removals is lacking so we do not know the success or complication rates.
The lack of surgeons able to carry out full mesh removals, particularly for mesh that runs through the obturator foramen, creates a skills gap.
Consent to mesh removal surgery may not always be fully informed.
What Should Happen Now
Before embarking upon partial or full mesh removals Surgeons need to be clear with women. Surgeons need to discuss the nature of the procedures they are able to carry out. They should discuss the technique they intend to use and possible risks or complications. There should be an honest discussion about the impact on pain levels and creation of additional scar tissue.
If you have been affected by Mesh Complication Surgery then call us. If additional surgery has made your condition worse then get in touch today. Have you been advised to have removal in stages, a colposuspension, a prolapse repair, a hysterectomy, and or removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes? Then get in touch.
You can contact Dr Victoria Handley at vhandley@handleylaw.co.uk or on 0800 470 2009