About pelvic mesh and complications
Pelvic mesh is a manufactured, plastic, net-like product that has previously been used for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and continues to be used to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
It is surgically placed permanently via the vagina (transvaginal) and is designed to provide extra support to weakened tissues. Mesh products can also be known as a sling, tape, ribbon or hammock.
Approximately 150,000 Australian women have had pelvic mesh used in surgery in the last 20 years. Internationally, consumers and clinicians are raising serious concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness of using mesh devices to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence.
Queensland Health acknowledges the pain and distress caused to women who have experienced transvaginal mesh procedure complications.
The Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service (QPMS) is committed to partnering with women, providing multidisciplinary care and treatment through their recovery journey in a mutually respectful, transparent and supportive environment.
Complications with pelvic mesh
It has been identified that complications can occur with pelvic mesh causing devastating effects on the quality of life for women and their families.
Complications women have experienced include:
- chronic pelvic pain
- mesh exposure
- infection
- bleeding
- pain during sexual intercourse
- difficulty sitting and walking
- difficulty passing urine or incontinence
- organ perforation.
More surgery may be required, but even if the mesh is removed, the complications may not completely resolve.
What to do if you are experiencing complications
If you are experiencing complications following a pelvic mesh surgical procedure, see your general practitioner (GP) or treating specialist to arrange a referral to the QPMS.
How do I know if I have pelvic mesh?
If you have had surgery for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, you may have had mesh implanted. If you are unsure if a mesh product was used in your surgery, you should first contact your GP or your previous treating clinician to obtain your prior surgical record.
If your GP does not have this information, the hospital where your surgery was performed may be able to help. Every hospital and health service (HHS) has a contact point for enquiries about personal information, health records, and privacy and right to information (RTI) advice.
If you are unsure where you should go, ask the Privacy and Right to Information Unit within the Department of Health for advice:
- Phone—(07) 3082 0546
- Email—RTI-Privacy@health.qld.gov.au
Recent patient contact
Queensland Health have contacted women via letter who may have undergone a procedure or had surgery where pelvic mesh was implanted. This is in response to subpoenas issued by the Federal Court of Australia in February 2020 and September 2021.
The purpose was to notify women of class actions in relation to certain pelvic mesh (transvaginal) surgical mesh implants.
Read more about the contact from Queensland Health.