Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Pelvic Floor Prolapse recall – we’re still taking cases forward

Birmingham surgeon Dr. Angamuthu Arunkalaivanan performed hundreds of the pelvic floor surgeries using a mesh implant that the Trust he worked for had banned from using.

Dr. Arunkalaivanan seemingly ignored the Trust’s instructions and carried on inserting these mesh implants into hundreds of women despite the warnings from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) of incontinence and infection, and his own Trust’s policy on their use.

Some 200 patients who have undergone pelvic floor surgeries with Dr. Arunkalaivanan have been recalled to be checked. However, pelvic floor operations are so routine that it may be many more than 200 woman affected by the surgeons actions.

What is the procedure?

Women’s organs in the abdominal area are held together by ligaments and muscles, known as the pelvic floor. For some women, the pelvic floor muscles can become stretched over time, and the pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, uterus, vaginal vault or bowel) might protrude into the vaginal wall or move downwards. This is called a a prolapse, and a variety of operations, including inserting a surgical mesh, can be used to stop the protruding and strengthen the pelvic floor.

After 30 studies that involved over 2,400 women, NICE found that the long term health implications in using the mesh method that Dr. Arunkalaivanan used could be devastating, and can even cause irreversible damage. Alongside pain and discomfort, reported problems include:

These implications can have a serious physical and psychological impact on women. No one wants to take an operation to fix a problem, but to end up with an even bigger problem can be even more devastating. These long term implications are not only painful and distressing, but may also lead to further operations.

NICE warnings about surgeon competence

Now, one of the big questions about these mesh implants is down to whether they are a “defective product” or not. The mesh implants are still being used by some Trust’s in the UK, and other health professionals are still using them worldwide too, because the question has come down to surgeon competence as well.

MHRA studies indicated that the product itself was not necessarily defective, but the skill of the surgeon could affect the success. As a result of this,  NICE warned that the mesh operation must only be done if absolutely necessary and by a specialist gynaecologist who is specifically trained for this procedure. It is also paramount that the procedure only goes ahead if the patient gives full and informed consent, having been told of all the risks and implications.

The primary issue in these cases we are taking forward is that, because the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS had banned the use of mesh implants, it is very doubtful that Dr Arunkalaivanan obtained the proper consent from his patients since his own Trust had banned their use.

Dr Arunkalaivanan no longer holds a medical license in the UK and therefore is no longer a practising gynaecologist here. However, what he did remains a part of some 200 women’s lives. For some women, he may have ruined their chances of ever having a child. Everyone has a right to a family life, and it truly terrible for a reckless doctor to take this human right away from someone.

The disgraced gynaecologist has arguably abused his position and the women’s trust and confidence with his actions. As such, every woman affected has a right to personal justice in the form of financial compensation for any pain and suffering caused.

We can help

If you had a pelvic floor operation with Dr Angamuthu Arunkalaivanan and you have been recalled, get in touch as we may be able to help you. Click here to join our Group Action today!