Mesh surgery banned in UK

If 35-year-old “Kate” had lived in Britain, her crippling, life-damaging mesh surgery wouldn’t have happened.

British urologist Dr Hashim Hashim says his country suspended mesh surgery to treat SUI four years ago due to public concern — and the ban’s yet to be lifted.

He said there were six criteria the Government needed to implement before mesh surgery could be reintroduced.

These included appropriate training for surgeons, a national database, a register of operations to ensure every procedure is notified and the women can be identified as having undergone the surgery, reporting complications, specialist centres for those who experience harm and national guidelines on the use of mesh for SUI.

“Data is lacking when it comes to pain and that is what we need to look into. This is where registries will help.”

Hashim said he had removed mesh from more than 200 women based in Britain, Europe and the Middle East.

“Pain is the most common reason we remove mesh, followed by erosion.”

He said he was seeing mesh complications arise in women sometimes after eight years following their procedure.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint one cause for complications and every case is different. There are three factors that need to be considered: The surgical skill, the patient comorbidities (other illnesses) and the mesh properties. A problem in any of them can cause complications,” Hashim said.

“Mesh procedures need to be taught before being practised. Nice [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] said that at least 20 needed to be performed per year to maintain skills.”

The surgeon said informed consent was heavily debated and things are changing in this area.

“Nice guidelines since 2006 have emphasised the need to offer all options.”