Chamber and committees

Graham Bute submission of 29 June 2021

PE1865/U - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

In 2007 I was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. I was told that the operation was straightforward and common with an approximately 2 week recovery period. I was told that the latest method of repair was to use a type of gauze that strengthens the hernia sight and that this was considered to be the “Gold Standard”.

2 weeks after my operation I was still in agony, struggling to walk and in constant pain of various levels. I had to have injections into the wound sight and take a catalogue of the strongest painkillers to numb the pain, which also came with a catalogue of undesirable side effects. I was no longer able to carry on my business as a furniture retailer and ultimately during the financial crash, the 130 year old family business which my wife worked for too, had to end. My family and I, already under considerable financial strain and unemployed had to move to find work on the mainland. I struggled to find work because of the pain and effect the mesh repair had on my physical ability and mobility, my mental health suffered greatly.

I am no longer able to have a sexual relationship with my wife because of pain and a symptom called disejaculation. I sought help through my doctor and surgeons, private consultants to no avail. I was regularly being told that it couldn’t be the mesh. I was told by one surgeon that this happens in 10% of these operations that there is too much cutting and a nerve may have been cut. He also said that he would be famous if he could cure me, that he didn’t see the point in referring me and that I would be better served by the pain clinic. Another surgeon has told me that any attempt to remove the mesh may result in the loss of my testicles and further complications because of perfidious nerve growth through the mesh implant.

I did however find part time work as a support worker but eventually that became unsustainable. I was referred to the pain clinic and had among other treatments a “chilli” patch applied to my groin which exacerbated my symptoms. I’m not aware of any evidence suggesting that this kind of treatment is successful with my condition. I was dismissed on medical grounds and have since been at the mercy of, in my view, a punitive, inadequate and inept benefit system. I have lost trust in the system that was supposed to help me. I have been subject to imprecise information e.g “it’s just inert plastic”, in the face of personal testimony from many worldwide. I urge the Scottish Government to ban all mesh products and compensate all who have suffered by these devices and implants.