A new study from Slovenia is being used to promote bladder mesh sling (TVT) surgery worldwide, claiming it works well for 20 – 25 years.

But the study is flawed because:

·        Only 25% of women who had surgery responded to a questionnaire.

·        The study used hospital records only, not patient-reported outcomes of complications like pain, loss of mobility, infections.

·        Many women never went back to hospital because they lost trust – which means their outcomes are missing.

·        The study ignored mesh removals, complications, and trauma.

Despite this, the study is being used to help promote TVT mesh surgery in countries where women can’t read English – so they may not know the risks.

 UK suspension

TVT mesh was suspended in the UK in 2018 following an independent review ordered by the UK government. The review found that TVT mesh slings had serious, life-changing risks. [bmj.com].

 What Is TVT mesh?

TVT is a plastic sling made of mesh. It is sometimes called a tape. It is used to treat bladder leaks / stress urinary incontinence – often caused by childbirth or menopause. The mesh can shrink, twist, and cut inside a woman’s body, causing:

• Pain
• Infections
• Painful to walk
• Loss of sex life
• Autoimmune diseases
• Allergies

More information

If you’re offered TVT mesh sling surgery to fix stress urinary incontinence, please visit www.slingthemesh.co.uk for more details or join the Sling The Mesh group on Facebook.

#womenshealth #bladderhealth #childbirth #menopause