Produced by Mentor Corporation and distributed from 2003 through 2006, the OB Tape sling is a surgically implanted medical device used to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
SUI and POP typically develop in women when their bladder, urethra, small bowel, or rectums drops from its normal location, putting pressure on the vaginal walls and causing discomfort and urine leakage when laughing, coughing, sneezing, or jumping. These conditions, which arise mainly in women who have given birth or undergone surgery, do not worsen overtime and are generally not considered to be serious health problems.
While the OB Tape sling has been effective at treating SUI and POP, it has also been found to cause:
- dyspareunia, pain during intercourse
- erosion through the vaginal wall
- perforation of the bowels, bladder or blood vessels while being implanted
- recurrence of SUI or POP
- serious infection.
OB Tape Sling and FDA Warnings
On October 31, 2008, the FDA issued a nationwide warning to alert the public to the dangers associated with using transvaginal devices. At the time, there had been more than 1,000 reported injuries to the FDA for serious health complications, which have required:
- blood transfusions
- drainage of abscesses or hematomas
- invasive surgeries to remove the mesh sling
- IV treatments
Upon issuing this warning, the FDA also recommended that physicians make themselves and their patients aware of the fact that their future quality of life may be seriously compromised due to OB Tape sling and other transvaginal product defects.
Women who have been injured due to use of the OB Tape sling should follow through with all necessary treatments to prevent further health complications. Once their health is stable, they should consult with an experienced OB Tape sling lawyer to learn more about their legal rights and entitlements. Victims may be entitled to monetary compensation for their medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
If you or a loved one used an OB Tape sling and suffers from dyspareunia, erosion through the vaginal wall, perforation of the bowels, bladder or blood vessels, or recurrence of SUI or POP, you should contact us immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
