TVT claim launched by woman suffering from extreme abdominal pain

A 62 year old woman from Buckinghamshire is taking legal action after problems with the medical device to strengthen the vaginal wall, usually to correct either pelvic organ prolapse (POP), or stress urinary incontinence.

The woman known only as Paula began to experience mild urinary incontinence in 2009. She was fitted with a transvaginal mesh, or TVT, in June 2010.

Immediately after the operation Paula describes suffering significant pain “as if she had knives cutting into her lower abdomen and vagina.” 

She remained in hospital for three nights and was then discharged home. However, she continued to experience significant pain and urinary symptoms.

In July 2010 she contacted the hospital, as she was concerned about the level of pain and urinary symptoms she was experiencing as it was now affecting her mobility.  She was referred for a series of tests and none identified the source of her pain.

In March 2011 Paula returned to Germany, where she was born, but had not lived since she was a child.

Whilst in Germany she attended Accident & Emergency as she was suffering extreme episodes of pain in the abdomen.  She also sought a second medical opinion whilst there. 

The doctor confirmed that the TVT tape, which had been inserted in June 2010, was too tight on the left side and referred her for a transvaginal scan and ultrasound. 

On returning to the UK in May 2011 Paula saw a private Consultant Gynaecologist who again carried out a transvaginal scan, an ultrasound and also an examination.  She identified the TVT as the pain trigger and that it was close in proximity to the bladder and vaginal wall. 

Paula had the TVT removed on 7 November 2011. She continues to experience pain and has not been able to return to the same level of activity as prior to the surgery including a return to work running a florist business.

She was also a keen cyclist and she has not returned to cycling since the surgery in June 2010. 

Paula’s lawyer Emmalene Bushnell, said: “There really do seem to be serious questions to be asked about the reliability of these devices and the technique used to implant them.”

The product liability team at Leigh Day is currently representing a number of women who allege that they have been left suffering serious health problems following the fitting of transvaginal mesh, TVT, or vaginal surgical tape.  Please contact Jill Paterson if you would like to speak to a medical devices claims expert on 020 7650 1219.