Vaginal wall prolapse with or without accompanying uterine prolapse is a very common gynaecological problem, predominantly occurring after normal childbirth. Symptoms attributable to the condition include local pressure, bulging, “heaviness” and discomfort. With major degrees of pelvic prolapse, urinary and bowel function can also be affected. The condition can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life.

When conservative methods of treatment fail, traditional surgical repair has consisted of reinforcing the vaginal and uterine supporting tissues using conventional sutures. Unfortunately such traditional surgical repairs are associated with high rates of recurrence, even in the most experienced hands. This failure has lead to a continual search for improved surgical procedures in the hope of reducing recurrence rates. One such development has involved the inclusion of synthetic mesh at the site of prolapse.

Unfortunately, as experience with the use of synthetic mesh has increased it has become apparent that the use of synthetic mesh in prolapse repair is associated with complications which can result in significant morbidity, such as mesh erosion and exposure, infection, dyspareunia, vaginal narrowing, vault abscess and bowel obstruction.

As a result of the seriousness of the complications arising, the following recommendations regarding the procedure have been published:

1. Patient’s should be fully counselled pre operatively regarding the uncertainty of long term results and the risk of possible complications.


2. The procedure should only be performed by gynaecologists with special expertise in the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

In summary if you have suffered major complications following a mesh repair of vaginal / uterine prolapse you may be able to make a claim for medical negligence.

Contact the medical negligence team at Bridge McFarland as soon as possible.