Vaginal mesh implants: new material could reduce complications

Alternative material could replace current controversial implants, which have prompted many complaints of pain and discomfort

Photograph: Emily Critchfield/Duke Health

Scientists believe a polyurethane vaginal mesh implant could reduce the problems affecting huge numbers of women.

Scientists believe they have come up with an alternative to the material used in vaginal mesh implants which prompted a huge number of women to complain they had been left in severe pain.

Mesh treatment has been offered in cases of pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth, but sparked controversy after many women said they felt discomfort and had difficulty walking or having sex after undergoing the surgery.

Scientists at the University of Sheffield said they have now come up with a better material following seven years of research, suggesting the use of polyurethane rather than polypropylene.

The research group said polyurethane is more suitable because it has more more elasticity and a likeness to human tissue.

They also inserted oestrogen into the new mesh in a bid to speed up the healing process after treatment.

The research, published in the Journal of Neurourology and Urodynamics, said: “We believe that we have developed a new biomaterial that will avoid complications due to a better mechanical match with the native tissues.”

Prof Sheila MacNeil, professor of tissue engineering in the department of materials science and engineering at the university, said they began their research “because it was clear that the polypropylene mesh was not fit for use in the pelvic floor”.

She said: “Over the last seven years, we have investigated a range of materials and for the past few years, we have focused our efforts on polyurethane, using the method of electrospinning to create a fine mesh which we have fabricated in layers to mimic the structure of human tissue.

“We have shown through our research that it does not provoke inflammation and retains its strength and elasticity. The addition of oestrogen is a major breakthrough as we have proved its beneficial effects in regenerating pelvic tissue.”

The scientists recognised their research “now needs to be further evaluated in suitable preclinical animal models”.

Guidance from England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in December said that following “serious, but well-recognised safety concerns” vaginal mesh should only be used for research purposes in future.

Data from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency showed that in the five years to 2017 more than 1,000 adverse incidents related to mesh implants had been reported in the UK.

About 1,500 vaginal mesh operations are carried out in the UK each year, according to the NHS, which adds that the majority of women respond well.