What Is A Transvaginal Mesh Implant

By Carmella Watts


For anyone wishing to understand what is a transvaginal mesh implant, the simple answer is that it's a device that is mostly used for gynecological purposes these days. In the past, it had been used for repairing hernias, but has lately found use as a relief from pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.

The item, used to support organs around the pelvis, usually comes in a mesh shape. It's made of woven fabric that's strong enough to hold some of the major organs of a woman in place, organs such as the bowel, the urethra, the bladder and the top of a woman's vagina.

As females age, they do get more susceptible to gynecological problems. This is especially the case after the menopause, when the area around their vaginal muscles weakens. It can weaken for the following reasons: multiple childbirths, old age, and hysterectomies. Whatever the cause, certain vital organs can slip through and protrude the vagina when the muscles weaken.

The actual mesh is made from more than one material and is liable to contain animal tissues, synthetics, human tissues, polyester and polypropylene or a mix of any combination of these things. Generally speaking, the most popular is made from polypropylene, which a plastic polymer that's used in many different packages, as well as in textiles, stationery and containers.

One of the confusing things about them is that they come in a variety of different categories. They have to be separated by the types of medical procedure that is involved in inserting each one into a woman's body, as well as separated by the types of materials they are made from. Overseeing the safety of the items, and the categories they come in, is the Food and Drug Administration.

One of the implants is called a mini-sling. What differentiates this from the others is not the type of product but the way it is inserted into the body. The surgeon need only make one incision in the vagina before placing a metal inserted, which allows them to align the mini-sling around the middle of the urethra. This need for only one surgical cut means the recover time isn't as as long as other procedures, and the chances of cutting a major organ are reduced.

A tension-free sling requires the operating surgeon to administer several cuts to the body. Two are made to he patient's abdomen and another to her vagina. Though tension-free slings are still in use, surgeons do not appear to be using them as often as transobturator tape, a sling that apparently allows for more accurate insertions into the body.

So for anyone wondering what is a transvaginal mesh implant, the answer is a device to support the organs. The usage of these has not been without some controversy because some report problems and side effects, which can happen with any surgical technique. Some of the side effects are reportedly pain, bleeding and infection, which are byproducts of what's called mesh erosion.




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