Mediplus develops new silicone pessaries that eliminate clinical risks associated with surgical mesh

Women who suffer from incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse from obesity, heavy lifting, smoking, chronic constipation or childbirth don’t always need surgery according to a pioneering British medical device manufacturer.

Offering a safe non-surgical alternative, family run Mediplus have developed a wide range of innovative silicone pessaries that eliminate the clinical risks associated with surgical mesh.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common symptom that can affect women of all ages, which can vary in severity and nature. Whilst non-threatening to life, incontinence may seriously influence the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of those affected, which can, in turn impact upon their families and careers.

In many cases, urinary incontinence and prolapse are treated by surgery and the use of surgical mesh, however this has led to many women experiencing traumatic side effects.

Since 2014, surgical mesh has been withdrawn in Scotland and in the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is also reviewing its guidelines to offer improved guidance on how to assess and treat the problem.

An independent study, carried out by the NHS Information Services Division (ISD) has also found that mesh procedures for prolapse involving the bladder or bowel were less effective than non-mesh operations and much more likely to lead to longer-term complications.

Over the last 10 years, Mediplus has worked closely with clinicians to develop a range of silicone pessaries that provide an effective way to manage pelvic organ prolapse.

Used to help more than 32,000 UK women each year lead a better quality of life, the devices can also be used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The benefits of wearing a pessary is that it is a non-invasive solution, it improves the quality of life for the patient and it enables women to continue normal, everyday activities.

Pelvic Floor Product Manager at Mediplus, Francesca McCabe, said:

Often when women seek medical advice they are offered surgery as the only solution without discussing the non-surgical options such as lifestyle, physiotherapy aided pelvic floor exercises and pessaries.”

Surgery is not always a long-term solution as younger women will often require repeat surgery at a later date and any surgery carries the risk of side effects.  As a company, we want to raise awareness of pessaries as they are a safe, non-surgical alternative which offer a long-term solution.

Mediplus have been supplying the healthcare sector with patient centric products for 30 years. The company focuses on two key clinical areas - pelvic floor, which includes urology, Urogynaecology, gynaecology, gastroenterology, and critical care which covers anaesthetics and general surgery sectors.

The company always continues to strive for the product that will make the difference; developing innovations that are less traumatic and invasive for the patient, whilst improving the use for the clinician.