NHS Digital publishes statistics on vaginal mesh procedures

17 Apr 2018 01:07 PM

NHS Digital has published experimental statistics on patients that have had a procedure for urogynaecological prolapse or stress urinary incontinence including those where mesh, tape or their equivalents have been used.

The report analyses patients who have had an operation for vaginal prolapse or stress urinary incontinence - relating to the insertion, repair or removal of vaginal mesh, tape or their equivalents.

Retrospective Review of Surgery for Vaginal Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence using Tape or Mesh, England April 2008 - March 2017 also investigates these patients' subsequent interactions with NHS Hospital outpatient services.

The statistics are experimental and provide a count of individuals, rather than a count of episodes as is the norm when publishing standard Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). This should be taken into account when interpreting the data.

Key findings in the report include:

Tape insertions for stress urinary incontinence (SUI):

Between 2008/09 and 2016/17, 100,516 patients had a reported tape insertion procedure for stress urinary incontinence.
In 2016/17 there were 7,245 patients who had an insertion for this procedure, which is a reduction of 48 per cent from 2008/09 when 13,990 patients were recorded.
For patients who had a removal procedure more than 30 days after their initial insertion, the highest rate of readmissions occurs in the reporting year following the insertion. Patients who had an insertion in 2008/09 had a removal rate of 10.2 patients per 1000 in 2009/10, but for patients who had an insertion in 2015/16, their removal rate was lower at 7.3 patients per 1000 in 2016/17. The rate fluctuates for patients who had an insertion in the intervening reporting years.
Between 2008/09 and 2016/17 readmissions for a removal procedure for patients occurring within 30 days of a confirmed insertion procedure remained steady between 1.2 patients and 1.7 patients per 1000 per reporting year.

Mesh insertion for urogynaecological prolapse:

Between 2008/09 and 2016/17, 27,016 patients had a reported mesh insertion procedure for urogynaecological prolapse.
In 2016/17 there were 2,680 patients who had an insertion for this procedure, which is a reduction of 13 per cent from 2008/09 when 3,073 patients were recorded.
For patients who had a removal procedure more than 30 days after their initial insertion, the highest rate of readmissions occurs in the reporting year following the insertion. Patients who had an insertion in 2008/09 had a removal rate of 3.9 patients per 1000 in 2009/10, but for patients who had an insertion in 2015/16, their removal rate was lower at 1.8 patients per 1000 in 2016/17. The rate fluctuates for patients who had an insertion in the intervening reporting years.

Read the report on the NHS Digital website

Notes to editors

NHS Digital is the national information and technology provider for the health and care system. Our team of information analysis, technology and project management experts create, deliver and manage the crucial digital systems, services, products and standards upon which health and care professionals and citizens depend. During the 2017/18 financial year, NHS Digital published 275 statistical reports. Our vision is to harness the power of information and technology to make health and care better. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is a non-departmental body created by statute, also known as NHS Digital. We provide 'Information and Technology for better health and care'. Find out more about our role and remit atwww.digital.nhs.uk
For media enquiries please contact media@nhsdigital.nhs.net or telephone 0300 30 33 888.