If you or a loved one suffered from complications or injuries after having transabdominal pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery (i.e., sacrocolpopexy or sacrocolposuspension) involving Y-shaped surgical mesh (“Y-mesh”) including Upsylon, Restorelle, Artisyn, Alyte Y-mesh brands, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Y-mesh lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of medical device injury lawyers and class action attorneys is investigating claims of women who have suffered from Y-mesh complications and injuries after having surgery involving Y-mesh.
Y-mesh (a/k/a Y-shaped pelvic mesh) is a type of surgical pelvic mesh implant (typically made of polypropylene, a type of permanent synthetic plastic) that is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition where organs such as the the bladder, uterus, or vaginal vault drop out of their normal position due to weakened support tissues.
Unlike vaginal mesh which is implanted through the vagina, Y-mesh is implanted through the abdomen (transabdominal) in a procedure called a sacrocolpopexy, where a surgeon accesses the pelvis through the abdomen (open surgery, laparoscopic, or robotic) and attaches the two top arms (the “V” part of the Y mesh) to the front and back walls of the vagina (or the cervix/top of the vaginal vault) and anchors the tail (the “stem” part of the Y-mesh) to a strong ligament on the sacrum (the bony tailbone area) in order to lift the vagina (and nearby prolapsed organs) back in their normal position and provide long-term structural support.
Unfortunately, many women have who received Y-mesh implants as part of pelvic organ prolapse repair surgeries have reported experiencing significant complications and injuries related to the Y-mesh, including mesh erosion, mesh contraction, mesh migration, mesh protrusion, chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, organ damage, and the need for repeat corrective surgeries, among others.
Injured women (and, in some cases, their family members) are now coming forward and filing Y-mesh lawsuits seeking compensation and justice for the harm and suffering they may have endured.
Y-Mesh Injury Lawsuit: Overview
- What Are The Y-Mesh Lawsuits About?
- What Is Y-Mesh Or Y Shaped Surgical Mesh?
- Is Abdominal Y-Mesh Different Than Vaginal Mesh?
- Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treated With Y-Mesh?
- Who May Qualify For a Y-Mesh Lawsuit or Settlement?
- What Injuries May Be Linked to Y-Mesh?
- What Companies Have Been Sued Over Y-Mesh?
- Which Y-Mesh Products May Be Involved In Y-Mesh Litigation?
- Can I Recover Compensation From a Y-Mesh Injury Lawsuit?
- Is There A Deadline To File a Y-Mesh Lawsuit?
- Request A Free Case Review From A Y-Mesh Injury Lawyer
Y-Mesh Lawsuit Cases & Settlement Claims
Y-mesh lawsuit cases and settlement claims potentially being investigated include claims of women who, after having pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery involving a Y-mesh product, suffered serious injury or complications including, among others:
- Corrective or revision Y-mesh surgery
- Multiple Y-mesh revision surgeries
- Surgery to repair Y-mesh
- Surgery to remove Y-mesh
- Y-mesh revision/removal surgery recommended
- Y-mesh erosion into the vaginal canal
- Y-mesh extrusion into other organs
- Y-mesh protrudes or skin split
- Migration of the Y-mesh
- Punctures or injury to nearby organs
- Bowel, bladder or blood vessel perforations
- Hardening of Y-mesh
- Shrinking or contraction of Y-mesh
- Pelvic scarring
- Pelvic pain
- Nerve damage
- Sepsis
- Infection
- Spinal infection (spondylodiscitis)
- Sacrum/spine/tailbone infection
- Defecatory dysfunction
- Fistula
- Urinary problems
- Permanent pelvic distortion
- Recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
- Pain before, during or after sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Narrowing of vaginal wall
- Vaginal shrinkage
- Bleeding
- Neuromuscular problems
- Other Y-mesh injuries or complications
If you or someone you love suffered injury or complications from a Y-shaped surgical mesh product, you may be eligible to recover compensation from a Y-mesh lawsuit or settlement case.
Y-Mesh Injury Lawsuit Complaints
Women who claim to have been injured due to complications from Y-mesh have filed lawsuits seeking to recover money damages for pelvic mesh injuries they suffered due to mesh protrusion, mesh erosion, mesh exposure, mesh extrusion, mesh contraction or shrinkage, mesh migration, and mesh puncturing of organs, among others.
Plaintiffs in Y-mesh injury lawsuit complaints may allege:
- Oxidative Degradation Of Polypropylene Mesh (Cracking Plastic): Plaintiffs may allege that Y-mesh polypropylene mesh begins to chemically degrade almost immediately after implantation. Plaintiffs point to studies showing that once exposed to the body’s oxygen-rich environment and immune response, the plastic undergoes oxidative stress, leading to surface cracking, flaking, and the release of micro-plastic particles from the mesh. This degradation can cause the Y-mesh to become brittle and sharp, effectively turning a soft support into a “cheese-wire” that can saw through delicate vaginal walls, the bladder, or the rectum.
- Mesh Contraction/Shrinkage (“Bowstring” Effect): In some Y-mesh lawsuits, plaintiffs assert that the plastic material in the mesh is prone to severe shrinkage and contraction over time, sometimes losing up to 50% of its original surface area. Because the Y-mesh is anchored firmly to the sacrum (tailbone) and the vaginal vault, this contraction creates a “bowstring” effect, physically pulling the internal organs toward the spine (causing “pulling sensations” and back or pelvic pressure). This mechanical tension can lead to permanent pelvic distortion, debilitating “knife-like” pain, and a loss of organ function that native tissue repair would not have caused.
- Chronic Foreign Body Response: Women in some Y-mesh lawsuits allege that the body’s immune system identifies the synthetic mesh as a permanent invader, triggering a Chronic Foreign Body Response (FBR) that never resolves. This constant state of inflammation causes the body to encase the mesh in dense, “rock-hard” fibrous scar tissue (fibrosis). Plaintiffs argue that this makes the mesh rigid and immobile, leading to chronic pelvic pain and “dyspareunia” (painful intercourse), while also making the device difficult or impossible to remove without damaging organs it has become fused to.
- Bridge Scarring Due To Y-Mesh Pore Size: In some Y-mesh cases, plaintiffs may allege that due to the size of the pores in the Y-mesh, it was prone to “bridge scarring” where scar tissue grows across the mesh pores, turning a flexible net into a solid, rigid, sharp plastic sheet that cannot move with the body. Instead of acting as a flexible support, the mesh becomes a solid, rock-hard plastic plate that cannot move with the body’s natural mechanics.
- Mesh Migration: Y-mesh lawsuits often allege that mesh has migrated from it intended position. Mesh migration occurs when the Y-mesh physically moves from its original surgical location to a different part of the pelvic or abdominal cavity, usually slowly over months or years rather than all at once. When migration occurs, women may develop pelvic or back pain, urinary or bowel problems, painful intercourse, or bleeding, and treatment often requires additional surgery, though complete removal can be difficult because the mesh becomes embedded in surrounding tissue. In Y-mesh sacrocolpopexy, migration is particularly dangerous because the device can move toward the bowel, bladder, or spine, potentially wrapping around the intestines or invading the pre-sacral space. This movement is often driven by mesh contraction (shrinkage), which creates a “slingshot” effect, pulling the Y-mesh away from its attachment points and into surrounding organs, which often necessitates high-risk, complex “explant” surgery to prevent life-threatening complications like bowel obstruction. The process or progression of mesh migration can involve: mesh protrusion (where the Y-mesh is pushing against or bulging into the tissue wall, but hasn’t fully broken through yet), mesh erosion (where the Y-mesh has physically “broken through” the tissue wall of the vagina, bladder, or bowel, mesh exposure (where the Y-mesh is visible or can be felt during a physical exam, and mesh extrusion (where the Y-mesh is actively passing out of the tissue into a cavity like the vaginal canal).
- Spondylodiscitis (Spinal Infection): In some Y-mesh lawsuits, plaintiffs may allege that the mesh’s “tail” facilitates the travel of bacteria to the sacral bone, leading to life-altering spinal infections and the need for bone debridement (i.e., a surgical procedure to remove infected, dead, or damaged bone tissue).
Y-mesh lawsuit complaints typically allege one or more of the following types of legal claims, among others: design defect (i.e., allegations that Y-mesh was inherently unsafe due to the way it was designed, for example, because the polypropylene material can degrade, shrink, stiffen, provoke an excessive inflammatory response once implanted or is prone to “bridge scarring”), failure to warn (i.e., allegations that Defendants did not adequately inform doctors and patients about the true risks associated with Y-mesh, including complications such as mesh erosion, contraction, chronic pelvic pain, or the difficulty of complete removal, etc.), negligence (i.e., allegation that Defendants failed to exercise reasonable care in designing, testing, marketing, or monitoring the Y-mesh products), and breach of warranty or misrepresentation (i.e., allegations that Defendants made promises or representations (explicit or implied) that the Y-mesh was safe and effective for long-term pelvic support, but allegedly did not perform as promised or represented.
In Y-mesh lawsuits plaintiffs typically seek several types of compensatory damages, including, among other things, compensation for medical expenses (for doctor visits, diagnostic testing, medications, pelvic floor therapy, hospital stays, revision or removal surgeries, and ongoing specialist care), lost wages or loss of earnings capacity, pain and suffering (e.g., chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, nerve pain, bowel or bladder dysfunction, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, reduced quality of life resulting from the injuries and other complications) and, in some cases, punitive damages.
Companies Sued For Y-Mesh Injury
Defendants named in Y-mesh lawsuits have included manufacturers, sellers and/or distributors of Y-mesh, including:
- Boston Scientific Corp.
- Ethicon, Inc.
- Johnson and Johnson (J&J)
- Coloplast Corp.
- C.R. Bard, Inc.
- Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Other Y-mesh defendants
Y-Mesh Brands Involved in Y-Mesh Litigation
Y-mesh brands involved in the Y-mesh lawsuits have included:
- Upsylon Y-mesh
- Restorelle Y-mesh
- Artisyn Y-mesh
- Alyte Y-mesh
- Other Y-mesh products
Types of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Y-mesh is used in pelvic organ prolapse surgery to provide structural support for weak or damage tissue or muscles. Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs (structures located in the lower abdomen or pelvis that handle urinary, reproductive, and bowel function including the bladder urethra, uterus, vagina, cervix, ovaries, rectum and small intestine) weaken, allowing one or more organs to drop out of their normal position.
There are several types of pelvic organ prolapse, depending on the organs involved, including:
- Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele): The most common type of POP is bladder prolapse (cystocele), where the bladder bulges into the front wall of the vagina. Women with this type often experience urinary leakage, urgency, incomplete emptying, or a feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvis.
- Uterine Prolapse: Another common form of pelvic organ prolapse is uterine prolapse, which occurs when the uterus descends into the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic support. This can cause pelvic heaviness, lower back discomfort, difficulty with intercourse, and sometimes visible tissue at the vaginal opening.
- Vaginal Vault Prolapse: In women who have had a hysterectomy, a similar condition called vaginal vault prolapse may develop, where the top of the vagina drops downward instead of the uterus.
- Rectal Prolapse (Rectocele): Rectocele refers to prolapse of the rectum into the back wall of the vagina. This type often leads to bowel symptoms such as constipation, difficulty emptying the bowels, or the need to press on the vaginal wall to complete a bowel movement. Some women also experience discomfort during sitting or intercourse.
- Small Intestine Prolapse (Enterocele): Finally, some women develop enterocele, where the small intestine pushes into the vaginal space, usually after pelvic surgery.
Many patients do not suffer from just one type of pelvic organ prolapse; multiple organs can prolapse at the same time, creating combined symptoms involving bladder, bowel, and vaginal support.
Recover Compensation For Y-Mesh Injury Claims
Plaintiffs who bring Y-mesh injury lawsuits may be able to recover compensation for injuries suffered, including money damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost of wages or earnings due to missed work
- Lost future earning capacity
- Medical care expenses incurred or to be incurred
- Other out of pocket expenses
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish/emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Other possible Y-mesh monetary damages
Time Is Limited To File A Y-Mesh Lawsuit
Various deadlines (called statutes of limitation and statutes of repose) may limit the amount of time that women have to file a Y-mesh lawsuit to try to recover compensation for complications and injuries they claimed to have suffered from Y-mesh products.
This means that if a Y-mesh lawsuit claim is not filed before the applicable time limit or deadline, the injured party may be prohibited from ever pursuing litigation or taking legal action regarding their Y-mesh injury claim. That is why it is important to connect with a Y-mesh injury lawyer or attorney as soon as possible.
If you or someone you love suffered injuries or complications from Y-mesh, including Upsylon, Restorelle, Artisyn, Alyte Y-mesh brands, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Y-mesh lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact a medical device injury lawyer to request a free case review.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing health issues, side effects or complications from a medical device (i.e., Y-mesh or pelvic mesh), we urge you to promptly consult with your doctor or physician for an evaluation.
**The listing of a company (e.g., Boston Scientific Corp., Ethicon, Inc., Johnson and Johnson (J&J), Coloplast Corp., C.R. Bard, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, etc.) or product (e.g., Y-mesh, Upsylon mesh, Restorelle mesh, Artisyn mesh, Alyte mesh, etc.) is not meant to state or imply that the company acted illegally or improperly or that the product is unsafe or defective; rather only that an investigation may be, is or was being conducted to determine whether legal rights have been violated.
***The use of any trademarks, tradenames or service marks is solely for product identification and/or informational purposes.
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