Despite the many lawsuits surrounding defective devices, surgical mesh products are expected to rebound in 2012, according to the findings from a recent survey of United States physicians.

The Millennium Research Group (MRG) reports that market growth of surgical mesh products will increase by 2 percent for transvaginal pelvic floor repair (PFR) procedures and sacral colpopexy/hysteropexy procedures using either a synthetic mesh or a biologic graft.

The results are based on surveys that were conducted in November and December 2011 and included 181 respondents, of which 130 were current users of synthetic surgical mesh in urogynecologic treatments and 51 were nonusers. Survey respondents were gynecologists, urologists and urogynecologists in the United States.

MRG analyst Sohaib Perwaiz said, “Despite the recent controversy, and the fact that a large portion of physicians have reported increased patient concern about the safety and efficacy of urogynecologic transvaginal mesh and related procedures, many survey respondents [physicians] find that surgical mesh products have distinct benefits in treating pelvic organ prolapse  (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).”

MRG attributes the growth in mesh product use this year largely to physician loyalty. Physicians have shown strong brand preferences based on mesh material, weight and training programs offered by surgical mesh providers, the market studies company states.

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Transvaginal mesh implants and bladder slings have been placed in millions of women to repair POP and SUI. Slings that are made out of synthetic material, such as mesh, are designed to support organs in the pelvic region — bladder, top of the vagina, uterus, rectum, bowl and urethra — that have dropped or protrude into the vaginal wall. The conditions of POP and SUI typically are caused by weakened or stretched muscles, often from childbirth or other aspects of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, very serious complications have made such mesh surgeries quite risky for many patients. Such complications include mesh erosions and extrusions, fistulas, obstruction of the urethra, injuries to bowel and the bladder, injuries to blood vessels with massive hemorrhage, injuries to nerves and urethral obstruction. The type and severity of the complication could result in corrective surgery.

Furthermore, the dangers of mesh implants are so serious that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned patients with mesh bladder sling implants multiple times, the first in October 2008. In a 2011 safety communication, the FDA warned that complications are not rare and that transvaginal POP repair with mesh may expose patients to greater risk than traditional repairs. In January 2012, the agency said it is considering a recommendation that urogynecologic surgical mesh used for transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) be reclassified as high risk.