Transvaginal Mesh & Vaginal Prolapse

Transvaginal mesh is a type of surgical mesh that is implanted along the walls of the vagina to help increase bladder control and provide comfort and relief from pain caused by certain medical conditions, including vaginal prolapse.

Vaginal prolapse, which is also referred to more generally as pelvic organ prolapse, occurs when the vagina drops (prolapses) from its normal position and pushes against the vaginal walls. This prolapse can cause pain or problems with bowel and bladder functions, as well as interfere with sexual activity.

What Causes Vaginal Prolapse?

Vaginal prolapse is most often caused by strain during childbirth. Normally the pelvic organs are kept in place by the muscles and tissues in the lower belly, but during childbirth, these muscles can get weak or

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become stretched. If the muscles don’t recover, they can no longer support the pelvic organs. Vaginal prolapse may also occur during or after surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), because removing the uterus can sometimes leave other organs in the pelvis with less support.

Transvaginal Mesh FDA Advisory

In October 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a health advisory to patients and health practitioners about serious complications with transvaginal placement of surgical mesh to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. According to the FDA, the agency has received more than 1,000 reports from nine different surgical mesh manufacturers of complications associated with surgical mesh devices over the last three years.

The transvaginal mesh complications most commonly reported to the FDA include erosion through the vaginal epithelium, infection, pain, urinary problems, and recurrence of vaginal prolapse and/or incontinence. Additional complications, such as bowel, bladder and blood vessel perforation, may occur during insertion of the surgical mesh.