Surgical Removals of Mirena IUD Increasing

A number of lawsuits have arisen due to the complications caused by the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs).  It has been shown that with the increase in popularity of IUDs, there has been a notable rise of cases where migration of the devices leads to a need for corrective surgery for the removal of such devices.  Besides the obvious negative consequences of the improper placement of IUDs, such as pregnancy, either uterine or ectopic, there lies the further threat of internal bleeding or infections.

A study, published by Frances R. Mosely et al. (2012) in The Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons which aimed at determining the most successful surgical technique for the removal of migrated IUDs from within the peritoneal cavity determined that laparoscopic surgery was the most commonly used with a high success rate for removal.  The study further indicated that the complications that result from IUD migration into the peritoneal cavity often must involve an initial or even mid-surgery conversion to open surgery was required. 

Currently, the most popular IUD in the United States is Mirena®, a product manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that is associated with a high rate of IUD migration and uterine perforation.  Because Bayer Pharmaceuticals has time and again failed to warn the users of its products of the relevant risks, a number of Mirena® migration lawsuits are currently being filed.

 If you have experienced negative side-effects of IUD insertion, or have required surgery due to the use of IUDs, then you may be eligible to file an IUD migration lawsuit.  We urge you to contact our law offices to receive a free consultation to help you determine if you have a case.  You may reach our offices at either by phone, at (888) 315 – 3997, or by e-mail, at justinian@justinian.us.

Migrated Mirena Perforates Uterus

Over a decade ago, a report by medical researchers K.K. Roy et al. was published in International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics describing the case of a woman in whom a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) perforated the uterine wall and migrated to the pelvis.

Intrauterine contraceptive device migration is a well-known complication of IUD use.

Other complications related to the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices such as Mirena® (manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals) are ectopic pregnancy, loss of pregnancy, loss of fertility, and IUD expulsion. For more information, the Mayo Clinic website has a great deal of information regarding the risks of Mirena® use.

The Roy et al. (2000) piece describes the case of a woman, aged 42 years and otherwise healthy, who had decided to use an intrauterine contraceptive device after the birth of her second child.[1]  This, in fact, is the time in life at which the Mirena® device is intended to be used.

After using her intrauterine contraceptive device for only 15 days, she came back to her doctor complaining of mild pelvic pain.  Upon examination, the removal strings of the device could not be located, and X-ray was required to locate the device.  Found to have torn through the uterine wall, the device was resting in front of the sacrum.  Using laparoscopy, a surgical procedure aided by the insertion of a tiny camera aboard surgical equipment, the device was removed and the woman recovered without injury.[2]

Due to the fact that the manufacturers of Mirena® IUD and other similar products have time and again failed to make clear the risks associated with the use of their products, a number of Mirena® lawsuits are currently being filed. 

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[1] Roy, K.K. et al. “Laparoscopic removal of translocated retroperitoneal IUD” International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 71 _2000. 241]243

[2] Ibid.

Mirena migration leads to cornual pregnancy

While it has been widely documented that levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) may perforate the uterus and migrate to the abdomen, where they may cause a variety of problems, and that IUD migration can result in ectopic pregnancy, a 2009 report by JJ Beltman et al, published in Journal of Medical Case Reports details the case of a woman in whom her IUD migration resulted in cornual pregnancy, a kind of ectopic pregnancy.

Cornual (interstitial) pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs in one of the fallopian tubes, rather than in the uterus, where it would normally take place. 

“Interstitial pregnancy accounts for up to 1 to 3% of all ectopic pregnancies.^[36,37] The term cornual pregnancy is used interchangeably in the United States as a synonym for interstitial pregnancies. However, it refers to a pregnancy in the interstitial segment of a unicornuate or bicornuate uterus.^[35]As the pregnancy grows in the area of the fallopian tube that enters the uterus, surrounding myometrial tissue allows for further development of the pregnancy into the second trimester. Rupture of such an advanced gestation may result in catastrophic hemorrhage, with a mortality rate of up to 2%.^[35,38,39] Diagnosis of interstitial pregnancies relies heavily on ultrasound and potentially on laparoscopic evaluation.^[40]Ultrasound frequently shows a thin rim of myometrial tissue surrounding the ectopic pregnancy sac.^[41] The interstitial line has been described as an echogenic line extending into the corneal region and abuting the gestational sac, and is highly specific for interstitial pregnancy.^[39] Risk factors for development of interstitial pregnancy include previous ectopic pregnancy, previous salpingectomy, uterine anomalies, ipsilateral salpingectomy, IVF, ovulation induction, and sexually transmitted infections.^[35,39]”[1]

For more information on cornual pregnancy, follow the link above to more medical research.  Also, WebMD provides some helpful information on pregnancies that occur in unusual locations. 

 Sadly, ectopic pregnancies can be fatal for the mother and are almost always fatal for the unborn child.

 Due to the fact that Bayer Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the Mirena® IUD has failed to warn users about the risk for pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy found to be associated with Mirena® use, many
Mirena® lawsuits are currently being filed.

At your convenience, you may reach our offices by phone at (888) 315 – 3997 or by e-mail at justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

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[1] http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/557082_4

Triumph cruise plaintiffs not likely to be triumphant

Cruise lines take advantage of favorable contract law to make sure their legal liability is limited.  So don’t place any bets in favor of the plaintiffs:

MIAMI - Lawsuits are already filed in this month's disastrous Triumph cruise ship voyage, but the legal deck is stacked in parent company Carnival's favor, mainly because of the restrictive terms of vacationers' tickets, governing who can sue and where.

Source: Cruise lawsuits are in, but Carnival has advantage

Class action lawsuit filed over ill-fated cruise

We all knew this was coming:

A Florida maritime law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of passengers aboard the ill-fated Carnival Triumph.

The federal lawsuit, filed Monday in Florida, says that Carnival Corp. was negligent for allowing Triumph to embark on the failed cruise when the company was aware the ship was prone to mechanical and or engine issues.