Mentor ObTape Vaginal Sling

Stress urinary incontinence is a disorder that afflicts millions of women. This condition is usually caused by a weakness in the muscles of the bladder and urethra. Many women are prone to suffer from this condition after childbirth. For many years, surgeons have utilized vaginal slings to treat this condition and reinforce the weakened muscles to help control urinary bodily function.

In 2003, Mentor Corporation introduced the Mentor ObTape device, a transoburator vaginal sling.  This product was surgically implanted in thousands of women across the United States between 2003 and 2006.  The sling helped support eroded or weakened muscles that controlled the flow of urine.  Unlike similar vaginal sling devices, the Mentor ObTape device was made from small pored, non-woven fibers.  The defective design of Mentor ObTape prevented vital nutrients and oxygen from reaching the tissue, thereby causing the surgical site to heal improperly and increasing the likelihood of infection, extrusion, and vaginal erosion.  An unreasonably high number of patients suffered complete extrusion of the device through the vaginal wall causing extreme vaginal pain, infection, perforation, and vaginal erosion.  In many cases, women have been forced to undergo multiple surgical procedures to remove the device and repair vaginal scarring.  Many women suffered significant mental and physical pain and suffering.

The Journal of Urology published results from a study done at the Continence Center at Virginia Mason Medical Center on women implanted with the Mentor ObTape Vaginal Sling versus those who were implanted with another brand of sling, AMS Monarc. Approximately 13% of the 67 women who received the Mentor sling suffered from vaginal extrusions. Other study recipients developed chronic vaginal discharge, and one person developed an abscess. Each of these patients had to have the device removed. No complications were reported by the women implanted with the Monarc sling.

Mentor stopped marketing the ObTape device around March of 2006 because of the high number of serious medical complications being reported.  However, Mentor never provided adequate warnings or information to patients or their physicians, and physicians continued to implant the product since it was never recalled.  A number of women across the U.S. have filed lawsuits for serious injuries associated with this defective medical product.   

The law firm of Alley, Clark & Greiwe is currently representing women who have been implanted with the Mentor ObTape Vaginal Sling device. Please contact us for more information regarding your legal rights.