FDA Warns BD Surgical Mesh Products Not Proven Safe for Breast Reconstruction Surgery
A number of Becton Dickenson surgical mesh products will now carry updated warning labels, alerting doctors that they have not been established as safe for breast reconstruction.
Growing use of some Becton Dickenson surgical mesh products for breast reconstruction has led federal regulators to issue a new safety warning, and require a label update alerting doctors that they have not been approved for such use.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to health care providers on November 9, informing doctors about the changes to certain BD mesh product labels, which clarify that the manufacturer has not established that the surgical mesh is safe or effective for breast reconstruction.
While the surgical mesh products are not approved for use in breast surgery, and cannot be marketed by the manufacturer for such uses, doctors can still use the products for “off-label” for any indication they deem appropriate, which appears to be an increasing trend, the FDA notes. However, the agency now indicates BD has agreed to update the labeling, to remind doctors about the lack of FDA approval for breast reconstruction.
“The FDA is aware of increased use of surgical mesh products in breast surgery,” the agency’s letter states. “However, the safety and effectiveness of surgical mesh in breast surgery, including in augmentation or reconstruction, has not been determined by the FDA.”
The BD surgical mesh products receiving the updated label warning include:
- Phasix Mesh
- Phasix ST Mesh
- Phasix Plug and Patch
- Phasix ST Mesh with Open Positioning System (OPS)
- Phasix ST Mesh with Echo 2 Positioning System
- GalaFLEX Lite Scaffold
- GalaFLEX Scaffold
- GalaFLEX 3D Scaffold
- GalaFLEX 3DR Scaffold
Hernia Mesh Lawsuits
Hernia mesh lawsuits are being filed against Bard, Atrium, Covidien and several other hernia mesh manufacturers over mesh failures resulting in injuries and additional surgery.
Learn More See If You Qualify For CompensationThe affected mesh products have all been approved for the repair and reinforcement of soft tissue, but not for breast augmentation or reconstruction.
The FDA urges health care providers to carefully follow the instructions for use and label recommendations. However, the agency is not recommending anyone who received the surgical mesh for breast reconstruction have them removed if they have not suffered adverse health effects.
“The FDA stresses the importance of clinical evaluations to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and benefit-risk profile of these products when used for breast surgery,” the agency warned. “There are no surgical mesh products cleared or approved by the FDA for use in breast surgery, including augmentation or reconstruction.”
The agency encourages anyone who has suffered adverse events after receiving a surgical mesh during breast reconstruction or augmentation to file a report with the FDA’s MedWatch adverse event reporting program.
4 Comments
MarissaSeptember 24, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Is there please a lawyer who can help me with my terrible infections after the galaflex mesh in my breast. My whole life is destroyed. No breasts anymore and I am only 27 Please is there a lawyer who can help me? I live in the Netherlands.
MarissaApril 26, 2024 at 8:27 am
My name is Marissa Beijer, I am 27 years old. 2 years ago I had an breast lift with gala flex mesh I immediately had infections, and I had 5 operations after, and the last one also to remove my breast implants. I sent you the photos. After the wound was closed, I had so much pain, that I removed the gala flex mesh, I took me 3 operations to do that. And I still have a lot of pain till this[Show More]My name is Marissa Beijer, I am 27 years old. 2 years ago I had an breast lift with gala flex mesh I immediately had infections, and I had 5 operations after, and the last one also to remove my breast implants. I sent you the photos. After the wound was closed, I had so much pain, that I removed the gala flex mesh, I took me 3 operations to do that. And I still have a lot of pain till this day. I don't have nippels anymore, and my breast looks awful. I have a lot of nerve pain, since the day that I had the gala flex mash. And I still have pain everyday. I can't sleep, train or work. My life is over, and I had 8 operations in one year all because of the gala flex mesh. I hope you will help me, because what I had and have experienced is terrible I have sent you the photos, also the mesh how it had been taking out. I hope you will help me, because I'm in so much pain everyday. If I had known that this would have happened to me, I would never ever get the gala flex mesh. I hope to hear from you Kind regards Marissa Beijer
LindApril 3, 2024 at 11:34 pm
Worst experience of my life from Galaflex mesh infection after breast lift surgery . I almost died and almost lost my breasts. Only healed after the mesh was completely taken outta me after 5 surgeries and hospitalization for weeks .
LauraMarch 31, 2024 at 1:50 pm
GalaFlex Mesh for breast reconstructive surgery has completely ruined my health and mental health.