More Women Come Forward, File Lawsuits against Mentor

By Sophia Brink

Published on May 07, 2008

The Mentor ObTape Vaginal Sling is a surgically implanted device designed to control female stress urinary incontinence. Among other causes, female SUI is linked to vaginal trauma during childbirth. Because it involves the involuntary loss of urine, female SUI may cause emotional distress and social isolation.

The vaginal sling was developed around 100 years ago to replace weakened muscles of the urethra. The design of the Mentor ObTape Vaginal Sling, however, differs from that used in other brands. Unlike other vaginal slings, the Mentor ObTape is not woven and may impede the delivery of vital nutrients and oxygen to the vaginal area. Lawsuits filed against Mentor claim that vaginal erosions, infections, and extrusion and urinary tract erosion occurred as a result of the ObTape Vaginal Sling.

A study published in 2006 by the Continence Center at Virginia Mason Medical Center, in Seattle, Washington, concluded that the Mentor ObTape was associated with a high rate of vaginal erosions. These conclusions led the institution to discontinue using the Mentor product.

Although Mentor removed the ObTape Vaginal Sling from the market in 2006, less than 3 years after it was introduced, the number of women who have been adversely affected is unknown.

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