More than 400 women have received mesh and tape implants in Scotland since the health secretary called for their use to be suspended in June 2014. But what is the procedure, and why has it caused p...
By Victoria Derbyshire ; More than 800 UK women are taking legal action against the NHS and the makers of vaginal mesh implants, the Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned. ; The implants are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth, but some can cut into the vagina - causing severe discomfort. ; Some women have been left in permanent pain, unable to walk, work or have sex. One called the implants "barbaric". ; The UK's medicines regulator said it "sympathises" with the women affected.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are common conditions that can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. A surgical mesh is a medical device made from a synthetic (absorbable, partially absorbable or non-absorbable) material that is used to support weakened tissues. In urology / urogynaecology procedures they are permanently implanted with the aim to repair POP or to support the urethra or bladder neck in case of SUI. These devices may be supplied ...
Women who paid to have mesh implants removed privately will have the cost of the surgery reimbursed, under Scottish government proposals. ; A new bill lodged in the Scottish Parliament would see the government pay, with the cost of each procedure estimated to be £16,000 to £23,000. ; The use of the implants was stopped in Scotland in 2018. ; It came after hundreds of women were left with painful, life-changing side effects.
Jan Maessen was told a "simple operation" would treat her prolapsed bowel and bladder. But the mesh implant has left her in chronic, debilitating pain, and she now wants them banned.
A vaginal mesh implant made by one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical firms was launched despite the company being warned it could shrink and harden inside the body, company documents...
The home page for Urogynecologic Mesh Surgical Implants that describes the implants.
By Lucy Adams ; Review 'whitewash' ; Impartiality test ; Cause of death
Campaigners want a US surgeon who has removed hundreds of mesh implants to be brought over to Scotland.
Women who say they've been injured by vaginal mesh implants used to treat pelvic floor problems will claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages from makers Johnson and Johnson, the Federal C...