What is surgical mesh?

Surgical mesh refers to a number of biologic and synthetic materials that are sometimes used to surgically treat conditions that primarily affect women.

What are the main conditions that surgical mesh generally treats?

Generally, surgical mesh is performed in order to repair pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women.

Are there different types of surgical mesh procedures? If so, what are they?

Yes. There are three main surgical operations that are performed using surgical mesh. They include the following:

1. Transvaginal insertion of mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse. *Banned in the UK*
2. Transabdominal insertion of mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse. *Only sacrocolpoxies and sacrohysteropexies meshes are still approved in the UK*
3. Mesh sling to treat stress urinary incontinence. *Currently being paused in the UK*

What are the main complications that can potentially arise after a surgical mesh operation?

However, in recent years, concerns over using mesh for both pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence have been raised due to complications arising after the surgery. Such complications include:

• pelvic pain or swelling
• irregular vaginal bleeding
• pain or discomfort during intercourse
• bladder or bowel symptoms
• searing pain in the buttock or leg
• mesh erosion in the bladder or urethra or bowel
• mesh exposure in the vagina
• infection
• tearing of organs
• vaginal mesh contraction
• recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse

Which specialist would typically perform surgical mesh procedures?

Typically, urogynaecologists would be the specialists responsible for performing surgical mesh surgical operations for pelvic organ prolapse. Urologists and urogynaecologists perform mesh surgery for stress urinary incontinence.