Campaigners urge Scottish government to stop using all medical mesh

Campaigners have urged the Scottish government to stop using the full medical mesh after warning up to one in 10 hernia patients has chronic pain from implants.

The medical mesh is made from the same plastic polypropylene as the pelvic mesh implants which have been suspended from use in Scotland for the treatment of prolapse and bladder in women.

Now campaigners say its use in breast reconstruction, gallbladder surgery and other internal procedures must stop until there is a full investigation.

Roseanna Clarkin, 37, of Clydebank, suffered life-changing injuries when she received a polypropylene plastic mesh to repair a hernia almost six years ago. The mother of three said: “I am so sick now. I can’t work and my husband and family have to take care of me, all because of the plastic mesh.

“The surgeon treating me told me that he would only use a natural remedy but, after years of excruciating pain and developing other major side effects, I asked for my medical file and I found out he had used polypropylene mesh instead. . “

Elaine Holmes, Mesh Network activist, said: “It is clear, given the devastating complications that many mesh patients have suffered, that the government must insist on using safer alternatives rather than continuing to put so much of patients at risk. “

The Scottish Government said: ‘Medical directors have been asked to ensure that clinicians provide patients with all valid options for surgery and obtain the fully informed consent of the patient and that patients who report complications should be taken at seriousness and their concerns addressed. ”