tvt tape erosion

I think it is incredibly difficult and dangerous to remove eroded tape.  It can require multiple surgeries and I believe you will need vaginal and or urtheral reconstuction

Six years ago I was suffering from mild stress incontinence. At the suggestion of my (then) gynecologist who is an eminent lady professor practising in London I had a TVT inserted. Her name is Professor Linda Cardozo, 8 Devonshire Place. London W1G 6HP. TeL 020 7935 2357. I was not, at any time, told of any possible side effects, simply that she had already done 90 of these procedures very successfully. Had I been informed at the time that erosion was a possible side effect, at least I would have had the option to decide whether to undergo this procedure or not. I was quite ill after the operation but that is another story. During the six years when I had my yearly check up I usually had a urine infection and was told that this was because of my age and my low estrogen levels. I rather suspect that these infections may have been caused by the erosion taking place but I have no evidence of this.

Just before last Christmas I went to see her and said that something was wrong. She prescribed an estrogen cream and said she was sure this would work. My discomfort became steadily worse, the symptoms being sharp pain when I sat down suddenly; when urinating I felt as though I was peeing over razor blades, and excruciating pain on intercourse. In July I eventually saw another gynecologist who admitted me to hospital and did a cystoscopy. He discovered that the mesh had eroded into the urethra. I asked him to remove the mesh but he said he couldn't, as by now the tissue had grown around the mesh and it was now a difficult and dangerous operation. He recommended a Urologist who was removing mesh erosion by laser. Apart from the feeling of violation, I cannot even begin to describe the despair and anxiety I felt. This laser procedure had either not been heard of, or not recommended by the any of the medical profession I had been in touch with in America.

After further worldwide investigation, I came to the conclusion that the only alternative I had was the laser procedure. I went to see the Urologist who has done 5 of these operations in the last 18 months. 4 successfully, with the 5th having to be redone as the mesh re-eroded again quite quickly.

Anyway, the bottom line is that there seem to be two options at the moment: Remove the whole mesh via the vagina, and then urethra and vagina must be reconstructed with plastic surgery. It is really major surgery. Or removal of the erosion by the least aggressive way possible. The downside is that when mesh is endoscopically removed it can take several attempts to remove sufficient of the tape to relieve the symptoms. However, it seemed to me that the less trauma I have to go though the better.

I have opted for laser removal of the erosion . I had the procedure done last week which took 2 hours and a general anesthetic and am praying to God it doesn't erode again. I had a catheter in for 36 hours and then when I could urinate properly I was allowed go home. It would appear that the procedure has been successful but its early days yet and only time will tell. I will be having a scan in November or December to monitor my progress and will keep you posted.

I'm resting now as I feel exhausted, but if I can be of any help to anyone out there just contact me.

Kind regards and good luck

Christine