Transvaginal mesh prevents urinary incontinence, but may lead to serious side effects
Surgical mesh devices implanted during surgery for pelvic organ prolapse repair reduce the risk of patients suffering urinary incontinence after surgery, according to a new study. But researchers urge women to use caution as the likelihood for serious adverse events is higher in women receiving the sling than in women who were treated with superficial incisions.
“We should avoid using them with all patients undergoing a procedure for pelvic organ prolapse,” said study co-author Kimberly Kenton, Loyola University Health System.
The study showed that while the mesh helped prevent urine leakage, women who received the mesh were significantly more likely to develop problems such as bladder perforation, urinary tract infections, major bleeding complications, and incomplete bladder emptying in the first six weeks after surgery.
The new study focused on women who received vaginal prolapse repair and had no symptoms of stress urinary incontinence prior to surgery. At both the 3- and 12-month follow up, the rate of urinary incontinence with patients who had the sling was significantly lower than it was in the group that had received superficial, sham incisions that mimicked the outward appearance of the sling incisions.
The slings, also known as bladder slings, surgical mesh, vaginal mesh or transvaginal mesh, are devices that are used to treat conditions such as stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. The mesh is used to hold up organs that have dropped or prolapsed. Last year, the FDA warned women that serious adverse events with the mesh were “not rare” and that malfunctions, injuries and deaths had been associated with the devices.
Source: News Medical
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