Transvaginal Mesh Brands – Johnson & Johnson Ethicon Women’s Health

In the United States, market data from manufacturers indicate that in 2010 approximately 300,000 women underwent surgical procedures to repair POP and approximately 260,000 underwent surgical procedures to repair SUI.

According to industry estimates, approximately one out of three POP surgeries used mesh and three out of four of the mesh POP procedures were done transvaginally. Over 80 percent were done transvaginally with mesh.  

Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Women’s Health & Urology division is responsible for manufacturing many transvaginal mesh devices. This division of Johnson & Johnson offers treatment solutions for a variety of female pelvic and reproductive organ health conditions.

More than 400 lawsuits are pending in New Jersey state court against Ethicon for injuries allegedly caused by several transvaginal mesh products. Lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson knew that Ethicon TVT products were unreasonably dangerous but continued to manufacture and sell them regardless.

Brand names of Johnson & Johnson/Ethicon’s transvaginal mesh patches include:

• Ethicon TVT
• Gynecare TVT Sling *
• Gynecare Gynemesh *
• Gynecare Prolift Mesh *
• Gynecare Prolene Mesh *
• Prolene Polypropylene Mesh Patch
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* are also mentioned in the 400 lawsuits
TVT = tension-free vaginal tape, similar to a sling

Injured from Transvaginal Mesh? Talk to a Lawyer.

What are the risks with Gynecare TVT™

All surgical procedures present some risks, so be sure to talk to a doctor about whether Gynecare TVT™ is right for you.

Complications associated with the procedure include injury to blood vessels of the pelvis, difficulty urinating, pain, scarring, pain with intercourse, bladder and bowel injury.

There is also a risk of the mesh material becoming exposed. Exposure may require treatment. Synthetic mesh is a permanent medical device implant. Therefore, you should carefully discuss the decision to have surgery with your doctor and understand the benefits and risks of mesh implant surgery before deciding how to treat your condition.

Adverse reactions:

• Punctures or lacerations or injury to vessels, nerves, bladder, urethra, or bowel may occur during instrument passage and may require surgical repair.
• Improper placement of the Gynecare TVT™ device may result in incomplete or no relief from urinary incontinence or may cause urinary tract obstruction.
• Transitory local irritation at the wound site and a transitory foreign body response may occur. This could result in extrusion, erosion, fistula formation or inflammation.

The Gynecare TVT™ procedure should not be performed in pregnant patients. Additionally, because the mesh-like tape will not stretch significantly, Gynecare TVT™ should not be used in women who plan future pregnancy.

Over the past 12 years, the original Gynecare TVT™ retropubic sling that has been used in over one million women worldwide.

According to the website, “Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is a trusted, world-wide leader in surgical care. For over a century, Ethicon has continuously introduced innovations in wound closure, general surgery, wound management, women's health and urology and aesthetic medicine that fulfill the Company's vision: Restoration of body and of life.”

Have you or a loved one been injured from Johnson & Johnson Ethicon transvaginal mesh? If the answer is yes, please contact a transvaginal mesh lawyer today to find out what your legal options are for a settlement.

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