[Complications after vaginal mesh surgery]

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common problem. There is a significant risk of recurrent POP after surgery. To reduce this risk vaginal meshes have been introduced. Mesh surgery has very specific complications that are not always recognised as most physicians are not aware of the symptoms. Possible solutions to these problems are not well known either. In this clinical lesson we describe two patients who developed complications following vaginal mesh surgery which had taken place several years after the index surgery. Although the symptoms were specific to vaginal mesh surgery, they were only recognised long after they had developed. Removal of the implant resolved the symptoms. Based on the complicated diagnosis and treatment of mesh-related complications we recommend that care for these patients should be centralised at a centre with a multidisciplinary team that has the surgical expertise to resolve the symptoms.