12 Dec 2017

Surgical mesh another 'unfortunate experiment'

From Morning Report, 8:12 am on 12 December 2017

Another "unfortunate experiment" is how one woman is describing New Zealand's handling of surgical mesh. Yesterday MedSafe announced that from January 4 mesh implants will not be used for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence because of the risks. It will still be used for other surgeries, including hernia repair. ACC has paid out more than $13 million in injury claims to hundreds of patients who had problems with the mesh in the past decade. Some of the injuries include the mesh eroding in the body, binding with other tissue, and causing extreme pain. Co-founder of the "Mesh Down Under" online support group Carmel Berry joins us.