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Ethicon 12/19
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Woman who sliced partner’s genitals backs mesh ban
Dec 18, 2017 | The Argus
By Andre Rhoden-Paul
A WOMAN who had a vaginal mesh implant, which injured her partner during sex, has welcomed guidance by the NHS standards body banning the procedure for women with vaginal prolapse. -
Hotline established for women caught up in medical mesh scandal
Dec 18, 2017 | Perth Now
By Grant McArthur
WOMEN suffering or fearful after receiving a banned mesh implant can access help from a hotline service set up to cope with the medical scandal.
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Woman who sliced partner’s genitals backs mesh ban
Dec 18, 2017 | The Argus
By Andre Rhoden-Paul
A WOMAN who had a vaginal mesh implant, which injured her partner during sex, has welcomed guidance by the NHS standards body banning the procedure for women with vaginal prolapse.
Theresa Bartram, 51, from Peacehaven, had the plastic mesh – called a transvaginal tape (TVT) – fitted to lift her prolapsed bladder and stop her leaking, after suffering stress incontinence following the birth of her child.
But the mother-of-one said the mesh left her in unbearable pain and ruined her sex life when it sliced her partner’s penis.
The former health worker has now welcomed guidance by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) banning use of the mesh for vaginal prolapse.
She said: “It sliced a flap of skin off my partner’s private parts; it was like a cheese grater on him.
“And for me the shooting pain inside happened at least a hundred times a day when the TVT was inside me.
“It was like somebody sticking a breadknife up you.
“In October after a debate in Parliament the Government refused to ban the mesh implants.
“I am angry and scared for all the women who have had these implants at Lewes Victoria Hospital, where I had mine fitted in 2007.
“It takes five years to show complications.
“We are heading for absolute mayhem and it will cost the Government a ton to treat them.”
Theresa had her TVT removed in 2015 after years of pain and suffering.
It was finally removed when she started leaking green pus and emitting a foul smell.
She added: “It had shrunk and cut through my vaginal wall and it was surrounded by abscesses.”
She says she now has been left with post-tramatuic stress disorder (PTSD), reactive arthritis and a chronic pain condition.
At least one woman has died following complications from a mesh implant. 42-year-old Chrissy Brajcic, of Ontario, Canada, was left bedridden and in constant pain after the procedure.
A recent BBC Panorama investigation discovered that one device was only trialled on 31 woman and some sheep.
Nice restricted the use of the mesh for research only.
The ban does not apply to mesh used for urinary incontinence.
Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE chief executive said: “Our updated advice on surgical procedures using mesh is based on the latest evidence available, which has been considered in the light of the serious concerns expressed by individual patients and patient groups.
“We emphasise the importance of patient consent and data collection
“We are confident that our advice will give patients and health professionals the right information to make treatment decisions.”
In response to the new guidelines, a Department of Health spokesperson said: “We recognise that some women are suffering from very serious and debilitating complications as a result of this treatment.
“Therefore, we support the updated guidelines from Nice.
“We also want to offer reassurance to the thousands of women who have been helped by these implants and we make sure that any concerns raised are acted on swiftly and effectively by the NHS.”
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/local/15778793.Woman_who_sliced_partner___s_genitals_backs_mesh_ban/
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Hotline established for women caught up in medical mesh scandal
Dec 18, 2017 | Perth Now
By Grant McArthur
WOMEN suffering or fearful after receiving a banned mesh implant can access help from a hotline service set up to cope with the medical scandal.
The Victorian government will open the mesh information hotline tomorrow in response to thousands of women left in pain and distress from gynaecological implants that were banned by the Therapeutic Goods Administration last month.
The TGA action follows years of campaigning by affected women, a Senate inquiry and a class action by more than 700 women, but comes too late for up to 4000 women who have reported constant pain from their implants.
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said women who have concerns about transvaginal mesh, or are having pain and discomfort after surgery can now phone the helpline on 1800 556 374.
“While many women will not experience any problems after mesh surgery, others will suffer serious, debilitating complications,” she said.
“These symptoms could arise several years after surgery, which can make it difficult to identify.
“If women are concerned about pain and discomfort after mesh surgery, they should call our helpline. The helpline is there to give women peace of mind and help them in taking the next step in seeking medical help.”
“As with any procedure, if Victorian women are considering mesh surgery to help resolve a health issue, they should get all the information about the risks and benefits of the procedure, and any alternative treatments that may be available.”
Made from polypropylene and affixed to a woman’s hips, transvaginal mesh has been implanted in 100,000 Australian women since 2000 to cope with side effects of childbirth and urogynaecological issues.
However, it can have complications for up to one in eight patients. As revealed by the Herald Sun in February, dozens of Australian women have been left with permanent injuries and disabilities caused by the mesh breaking, moving or dissolving into their bodies and damaging internal organs.
On November 28, the TGA banned two mesh products from use in Australia from January 4, stating “there is currently a lack of adequate scientific evidence for it to be satisfied that the risks to patients are outweighed by the benefits of these devices”.
The ban comes 12 years after the TGA approved the use of pelvic mesh based on US testing, but without requiring it to be trialled in Australia.
Women phoning the Victorian mesh information hotline will be able to talk to a registered nurse about their concerns and can be directed to specialist programs.
More information is available here.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/vic/hotline-established-for-women-caught-up-in-medical-mesh-scandal-ng-ef5d6b5a5bc66a8324a662361016b4c7
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