Mesh implant group set up to assess procedure
Aworking group is set to be established to consider the latest recommendations about the use of vaginal mesh.
The Welsh Government will establish a small group of clinical leads and patient representatives to consider the latest recommendations and determine what further action it may need to take.
The working group will report to Health Secretary Vaughan Gething.
Transvaginal mesh is one of several treatment options available for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) notes a recent study in The Lancet shows that mesh is a successful treatment for prolapse in most cases, and the majority of women respond well to the treatment.
But there is also a risk of possible complications including mesh erosion, infection and bleeding, and the strain of future pregnancies may cause the prolapse to recur.
As part of the regular update programme, NICE is currently revising its guidelines on female urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, which are due to be published in 2019, according to the RCOG website.
Mr Eddie Morris, vice-president for clinical quality at RCOG, said: “For many women suffering from these conditions, mesh devices can be an effective form of treatment which is less invasive than alternative surgical procedures.”
Sarah Thom, 49, from Neath, is just one of the women to have suffered complications.
In 2004, she had a hysterectomy and mesh implant to correct a vaginal prolapse that occurred after giving birth to her second daughter.
Two years later in 2006, Sarah said she went to her GP, suffering from recurrent bacterial infections.
Sarah says she saw a GP more than 20 times over the next eight years and claims she was referred to 11 consultants.
After it was discovered the mesh had eroded and partially rotted, a repair was carried out in 2014.
“I was told the mesh could have fused to my bladder, colon or other organ and a multidisciplinary team was put in place for the operation”, she said.
“When I came round, the surgeon told me that he had been able to remove the rotten section and that the rest of the mesh remained intact”.
Sarah says the first time she realised mesh had caused problems to so many other people was after she saw a report from the Victoria Derbyshire programme on social media.
She wants to raise awareness of the dangers of mesh, and highlight the symptoms of complications so other women can be treated sooner.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The procedure is one of a range of healthcare interventions available in Wales to help prevent urinary incontinence, which can sometimes seriously influence the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of affected individuals.
“Following concerns about the adverse events associated with the surgery raised in 2014, we issued advice and guidance to the NHS in Wales.
“This emphasised the need for informed consent, compliance with guidance and standards, and regular audits of surgery undertaken, adverse event reporting and ensuring that repeat surgery or removal of meshes is performed by properly qualified specialists. There have been very few adverse events reported in Wales.”