The use of vaginal mesh implants for the repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has truly become very controversial that we see medical specialists taking opposing views on this issue. It may not be unusual to find healthcare providers vouching for one procedure over the other.

To provide an insight on this issue, a group of medical practitioners form different prestigious medical institutes undertook a study with the objective of comparing the use of mesh implants with traditional methods in the repair of vaginal prolapse. Before this very important study can go its full course, it was terminated prematurely due to the high exposure rate experienced by women using vaginal mesh devices.

According to the research team, mesh exposure was at a very high 15.6 percent among women in the vaginal mesh group. When it was terminated, three subjects had died and another three women, all from the mesh group, had to undergo further surgery for the treatment of recurrent prolapse.

At this point of the study, researchers were able to conclude that vaginal mesh surgery was no more effective than traditional methods of repair, on both cure rates and symptomatic improvements.

Read More: New Study Suggests Vaginal Mesh Complications Outweigh Benefits

One of Canada’s national news networks has labeled the pain and suffering endured by Canadian women resulting from the use of vaginal mesh devices as one of the most troubling stories for 2012. Avis Favaro of CTV aired her report after hearing the stories of misery and anguish of women injured by these devices.

Over 600 vaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of these devices in Canada as of 2012. Included in these legal actions are the cases of Carol Kouyoumjian and Diane McLaughlin.

Kouyoumjian, a former nurse, was implanted with a vaginal mesh in 2006 to treat her stress urinary incontinence (SUI). At about the same time, McLaughlin also had a vaginal mesh surgery for her SUI. Since then, both of them have been experiencing endless pain and suffering instead of enjoying a better quality of life.

They have already filed lawsuits against Ethicon for the injuries resulting from the use of the company’s Gynecare mesh products. They have further alleged that they were not informed or warned of possible side effects associated with these products.

Read More: Vaginal Mesh Injuries Ranked as Top Health Concern for Canadian Women