What can we learn from the vaginal mesh story?

The use of vaginal mesh in prolapse surgery has created enormous controversy and unprecedented media interest; it has become the most emotive topic in urogynecology today. The US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) system allowed the proliferation of mesh products which were rapidly adopted by surgeons internationally. The importance of a firm understanding of the biomechanical properties of tissue and implants, surgical skill, patient selection, communication skills, informed consent, and high-quality research are all important lessons we can learn from the mesh story. These lessons need to be applied to all novel treatments in the field of urogynecology and beyond.