Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affect millions of women, typically following childbirth or during menopause. Such conditions may cause substantial discomfort, leakage, and life interference. Doctors have used various surgical techniques over the years to treat POP and SUI. Some use surgically implanted mesh, while others use mesh-free methods. Learning the story of these treatments can help patients make educational decisions.
A History of Mesh-Based Treatments for POP and SUI
The surgical mesh was initially developed in the 1950s for hernia repairs. That’s because it effectively reinforces weak tissue, and doctors began using a similar mesh in the 1990s to treat POP and SUI. Mesh helped support organs, such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum, when they slipped out of place. Many believed it would be a long-term solution with fewer side effects than older techniques.
Mesh for urinary incontinence, particularly the TVT, was quickly embraced, as they were far less intrusive and had shorter recovery times than the surgeries of old. By the early 2000s, mesh-based repairs were dominant in some hospitals.
Mesh: The Difficulty and the Controversy
Surgical Mesh Lawsuits
Over time, surgical mesh became controversial. Thousands of women said they had experienced serious side effects, including pain, bleeding, infections, and erosion of the mesh into other organs. Some had to have the mesh taken out, often after multiple surgeries, and this caused long-term issues.
These issues fueled a spate of lawsuits. By the 2010s, several mesh products had been recalled, and manufacturers were being hit with massive settlements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also warned them and in 2019 halted sales of mesh devices for transvaginal POP repair.
Other Issues
In addition, as legal fights mounted, medical research started to raise questions about the long-term safety of mesh. Critics contended that there was not a sufficient amount of testing before the products were first offered. Patients and doctors began seeking out safer, more reliable options.
Options Besides Mesh
Because of such controversies, many were left to wonder whether there was a better solution and alternative to POP and SUI. remain. Today, there is good news: there are many.
Because of the dangers of mesh, many doctors went back to mesh-free surgery. These are native tissue repair in which the patient’s internal muscles and ligaments are used to support the organs. Yet another choice is a biological sling, which is less prone to being rejected. One such solution is none other than VNEW, a decellularized dermal allograft provides a versatile solution for homologous uses of human integument.
Mesh-free alternatives might require longer surgeries or recoveries, but they are appealing to many women because they eliminate the possibility of the mesh eroding or the mesh failing. These are particularly attractive for younger women or those worried about the long-term impact.
Mesh vs Mesh-Free: Which Is Better?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Mesh repairs may be safe and effective for some SUI cases, especially when performed by experienced surgeons using safer mesh. Mesh-free methods are, however, often rated as safer and equally effective regarding POP, particularly when applied by expert surgeons.
In the end, the decision depends on a patient’s condition, medical history, and preferences. A good doctor should lay out all the options, and they should collaborate with you to find your best fit. As technology advances in medicine, so do the treatments for POP and SUI — sparking more hope and less danger.
