The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study

Abstract Objective To describe the patient cohort accessing a quaternary-level pelvic mesh referral service, identify their requirements and ensure services can meet their needs. To determine areas of future research. Design Retrospective and prospective observational study. Setting Quaternary-level...

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Main Authors: Hawra Badri, Azita Rajai, Karen Ward, Richard Edmondson, Fiona Reid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Women's Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03916-8
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author Hawra Badri
Azita Rajai
Karen Ward
Richard Edmondson
Fiona Reid
author_facet Hawra Badri
Azita Rajai
Karen Ward
Richard Edmondson
Fiona Reid
author_sort Hawra Badri
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To describe the patient cohort accessing a quaternary-level pelvic mesh referral service, identify their requirements and ensure services can meet their needs. To determine areas of future research. Design Retrospective and prospective observational study. Setting Quaternary-level pelvic mesh complications service in the U.K. Population Women accessing a pelvic mesh complications service over 5 years. Methods All women attending the mesh complication service between 2018 and 2023 were included. Data was collected on referral rates, demographics, mesh complications experienced, management options selected, and post operative complications suffered. Mesh complications were compared against mesh devices and management options chosen. Results 785 women were managed in the mesh service over 5 years. Of 765 women with confirmed mesh devices, 92% (n = 707/765) were referred with a painful mesh complication and 54% (n = 416/765) reported pain alone. 58% requested surgical management (n = 403/692). Of 288 who received surgery, 52% (n = 150/288) requested complete mesh excision. The recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) rate was 66% (n = 141/215) and 23% (3/13) respectively. 18% (n = 51/288) experienced a surgical complication however only 0.7% (2/288) were considered serious. Conclusions This study has identified patients reporting ‘pain alone’ as the commonest patient cohort attending a UK pelvic mesh centre between 2018 and-2023, suggesting that mesh associated pain exerts considerable burden on affected individuals and maybe more prevalent than once thought. This group has the greatest variation in treatment. Further research is required to understand the pathophysiology of mesh related pain to inform effective treatment options.
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spelling doaj-art-55fac5c16a6e46cd93dd96ededa827532025-08-20T03:46:21ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-08-012511910.1186/s12905-025-03916-8The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational studyHawra Badri0Azita Rajai1Karen Ward2Richard Edmondson3Fiona Reid4Warrell Unit, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustDepartment of research and innovation, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustWarrell Unit, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC)Warrell Unit, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustAbstract Objective To describe the patient cohort accessing a quaternary-level pelvic mesh referral service, identify their requirements and ensure services can meet their needs. To determine areas of future research. Design Retrospective and prospective observational study. Setting Quaternary-level pelvic mesh complications service in the U.K. Population Women accessing a pelvic mesh complications service over 5 years. Methods All women attending the mesh complication service between 2018 and 2023 were included. Data was collected on referral rates, demographics, mesh complications experienced, management options selected, and post operative complications suffered. Mesh complications were compared against mesh devices and management options chosen. Results 785 women were managed in the mesh service over 5 years. Of 765 women with confirmed mesh devices, 92% (n = 707/765) were referred with a painful mesh complication and 54% (n = 416/765) reported pain alone. 58% requested surgical management (n = 403/692). Of 288 who received surgery, 52% (n = 150/288) requested complete mesh excision. The recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) rate was 66% (n = 141/215) and 23% (3/13) respectively. 18% (n = 51/288) experienced a surgical complication however only 0.7% (2/288) were considered serious. Conclusions This study has identified patients reporting ‘pain alone’ as the commonest patient cohort attending a UK pelvic mesh centre between 2018 and-2023, suggesting that mesh associated pain exerts considerable burden on affected individuals and maybe more prevalent than once thought. This group has the greatest variation in treatment. Further research is required to understand the pathophysiology of mesh related pain to inform effective treatment options.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03916-8Mesh complicationsPainStress urinary incontinencePelvic organ prolapse
spellingShingle Hawra Badri
Azita Rajai
Karen Ward
Richard Edmondson
Fiona Reid
The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study
BMC Women's Health
Mesh complications
Pain
Stress urinary incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
title The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study
title_full The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study
title_fullStr The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study
title_full_unstemmed The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study
title_short The management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the United Kingdom (U.K): a 5-year observational study
title_sort management of vaginal prolapse and stress incontinence mesh complications in a quaternary mesh complications service in the united kingdom u k a 5 year observational study
topic Mesh complications
Pain
Stress urinary incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03916-8
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