Transvaginal polypropylene mesh implants for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders have gained significant media coverage over the last decade, catalyzed by the public health notice issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 and the subsequent update in 2011 regarding the adverse events related to the urogynecology use of surgical mesh.1-2 Since the 2011 FDA update, there has been a considerable rise in the number of legal claims and litigation related to implanted pelvic mesh.3 Simultaneously, the internet and social media have become more common sources of health information for patients, as they have facilitated easy access to medical information online.4-6 Surveys demonstrate that 35% percent of U.S. adults have searched the internet to discover what medical condition they or an acquaintance may have.7 Consequently, at times the doctor essentially serves as a second opinion to what the patient may have already read online.8 On April 16th, 2019, the FDA ordered manufacturers of transvaginal mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) to stop the sales and distribution of their products.9 This withdrawal did not pertain to mesh used for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), or to the transabdominal use of mesh for POP (e.g., sacrocolpopexy). Health organizations have noted that the FDA withdrawal and the media coverage surrounding it spurred confusion among patients.10-12 Our study assessed online user behavior on pelvic-mesh related articles after the withdrawal and evaluated article accuracy.

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