FIGO review of statements on use of synthetic mesh for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence

The use of synthetic mesh implantation for the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has grown in popularity since mesh was marketed for widespread use in the early 1990s. As mesh usage has expanded, patterns of previously unexpected complications have become apparent. In the United States and other countries, the increase in reported outcomes (both positive and negative) has led to the initiation of medico-legal actions by patients reporting negative effects of the implanted mesh. As a result, several national and professional societies have convened expert panels to publish summaries of reported outcomes and provide clinical recommendations regarding mesh use. Despite their recommendations and further dissemination of the potential complications reported after urogynecologic mesh use, the popularity of mesh use for POP and SUI has continued to expand, with apparent geographic and national patterns. As the largest global association focusing on women's health, FIGO, via its Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Committee, has reviewed published national recommendations regarding the use of mesh, and has summarized them for the FIGO membership to help disseminate important recommendations to surgeons who may not be aware of the existence and content of these recommendations.