A prominent vaginal mesh campaigner has died from sepsis which was triggered by her controversial implant, it has been reported.
Christina Brajcic, 42, from Ontario, Canada, passed away on Thursday following a four-year battle with persistent infections – as a result of her mesh.
During her final few months, she posted an array of videos detailing her struggle with the scandal-hit devices on her Facebook page.
Tributes have flooded in for the ‘courageous’ interior designer, who helped to raise awareness of the ‘catastrophic’ mesh, which leaves many in crippling pain.
The implants, which can shrink, twist, curl and cut through internal tissue, have ruined the lives of thousands of women, leaving some on the brink of suicide.
Ms Brajcic’s death follows landmark moves by English and Australian health officials to recommend the controversial implants should no longer be used.
Christina Brajcic, 42, from Ontario, Canada, passed away on Thursday following a four-year battle with persistent infections – as a result of her mesh
It is expected that the NHS will follow the guidance from Nice, the Government’s healthcare adviser – despite not being obligated to do so.
The verdict comes after the Government released its three-year investigation into the mesh scandal last September. It rejected calls for a ban at the time.
Australian watchdogs also banned the use of vaginal mesh implants for prolapse last week after a review found ‘the benefits do not outweigh the risks’.
However, vaginal mesh remains a viable option for surgeons operating on women suffering from incontinence in both countries.
When did her problems begin?
Before her operation to have TVT mesh fitted in 2013, Ms Brajcic was ‘fit and active’, according to a fundraising page created since her death.
Ms Brajcic, who had her own business, endured mild stress incontinence following the birth of her two sons, Ben and Jake.
However, soon after the procedure she suffered debilitating pain – a complaint that has been raised by thousands of other women with the mesh fitted.
She then began to get constant infections – a problem suffered by scores of women that MailOnline has reported on since it backed calls for a ban.
During her final few months, she posted an array of videos detailing her struggle with the scandal-hit devices on her Facebook page
Tributes have flooded in for the ‘courageous’ interior designer, who helped to raise awareness of the ‘catastrophic’ mesh, which leaves many in crippling pain
Ms Brajcic eventually became resistant to antibiotics, having been given so many during her four year battle with vaginal mesh complications.
It’s reported she would be pumped full of strong medication in her local hospital’s emergency department at least once a month.
Fundraising efforts
Kath Sansom, founder of Sling The Mesh, created a JustGiving page to raise £1,000 to send to Ms Brajcic’s young sons. So far, it has raised £947.
Writing on the post, Ms Sansom, 49, said: ‘Chrissy was a courageous woman who, despite her suffering, remained, calm, strong and beautiful.
‘Let her death not be in vain.’ Ms Sansom also described her as ‘determined to spread the message to stop other women suffering’.
Sling The Mesh has almost quadrupled in members in recent months. Nearly 4,600, mostly sufferers, now support the cause to ban vaginal mesh implants.
When did the scandal come to light?
The scandal came to light in April, when the NHS tried to dodge media attention over the implants that left hundreds of women in agony.
Senior doctors immediately called for a public inquiry into the controversial mesh, with some saying the scandal could be akin to thalidomide.
Before her operation to have TVT mesh fitted in 2013, Ms Brajcic was ‘fit and active’, according to a fundraising page (pictured with her sons Ben and Jake and husband)
Ms Brajcic eventually became resistant to antibiotics, having been given so many during her four year battle with vaginal mesh complications
At the time, it was reported that at least 800 women were suing the NHS and device manufacturers. However, it is unsure how many women are now looking to take action in Britain.
Mesh, introduced 20 years ago and dubbed ‘gold-standard’, was promoted as a quick, cheap alternative to complex surgery for incontinence and prolapse.
Because it did not require specialist training to implant, outraged women have since begged for tougher regulations to conduct such surgery.
High-risk device in the US
Vaginal mesh has been considered a high-risk device for nearly a decade in the US, with bodies accepting up to 40 per cent of women may experience injury.
Some studies, published in an array of scientific journals, have shown that pain, erosion and perforation from the surgery can strike up to 75 per cent of women.
The alarming evidence prompted officials in three US states to suspend the practice and saw them call for an urgent review into its safety.
It’s reported she would be pumped full of strong medication in her local hospital’s emergency department at least once a month
Scottish officials asked for it to be suspended in Scotland in 2014 pending a similar review, but hundreds of women are still believed to be having the surgery.
More than 10,000 women a year are fitted with mesh. But only 4,800 have suffered lacerations and nerve damage from the mesh breaking into tiny fragments.
However, campaigners stress these are just the tip of the iceberg and that actually there are thousands more – but they have been kept silent.
Leading mesh manufacturer Johnson & Johnson was forced to pay out $57 million in September to a woman fitted with the implant.
Ella Ebaugh, 51, from Philadelphia, was awarded the eight-figure sum after a jury found the company to be negligent and its product defective.
Anyone wanting to donate to Ms Brjacic’s family can do so here.