Mesh Failure in Enterocele Repair Surgery

Enterocele is also known as massive vaginal eversion and is similar to uterovaginal prolapse. Enterocele is a type of hernia where the intestines drop into the vaginal area and can even protrude out of the vaginal opening. Enterocele can happen to women who have had hysterectomies (removal of the uterus) and the removal of supporting structures for the uterus, ovaries, and other organs. Depending on the severity of the prolapse, elimination or digestive function can be impaired. The symptoms of enterocele are:

• Pain and infection can be present especially if the reversed vaginal epithelium is cornified, or ulcerated
• Bladder obstruction
• Constipation
• Difficulty with eliminative processes 
• Hydroureter, Hydronephrosis
• Incontinence
• Painful sex
• Increased frequency of urinary tract infections

Some risk factors make certain women more susceptible to developing enterocele than others. These include:

• Increased age
• Hysterectomy
• Multiple childbirths (Every child carried results in a loosening or weakening of the female organs)
• Prior surgeries for prolapse repair
• White and Latina women are more susceptible to enterocele development than women of African-American heritage.

Treatments for enterocele if it is mild (not protruding beyond the vaginal opening) can include a removable device called a pessary that holds the organs in place. A pessary is contraindicated for women with infection or ulcerations. Surgery is another option for the repair or containment of the prolapsed organs. Surgery, as always is an invasive option, with mixed results. The surgical meshes utilized for this type of repair (and also for urinary incontinence surgery) have a high rate of failure and breakdown. This results in the need for additional surgery to fix the failed components. Pair this with any surgical intervention weakening the structures of this area further. These types of attempted repair procedures are resulting in a flood of legal cases for unnecessary surgery, failed procedures, and medical devices--not to mention the pain, aggravation, and financial and emotional costs to the patients and families involved. Often, in the cases of failed surgeries, the resulting pain, infections, and associated problems are worse than the original condition that treatment was sought for. See also the gynecology malpractice article on this site.

If you believe you or a loved one suffered a worsening of condition due to an enterocele misdiagnosis, failed medical devices, or botched treatment, you may be eligible for damages. Contact the experts at the Sweeney Law Firm and let us review the facts to see if you have a medical provider malpractice case. If we decide to take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless there is a settlement or recovery of funds for you.