We have helped to secure more than $80 billion in jury verdicts and settlements since 1955.
Tubal sterilization using Filshie clips is a common procedure, but in some cases, the clips can migrate and cause serious issues, such as abscesses and infections, even years later.
According to Case Reports in Surgery, a 52-year-old woman experienced severe right-side abdominal pain, fever, and chills. Doctors initially suspected she had a urinary tract infection (UTI) and prescribed antibiotics. The symptoms did not improve.
A CT scan revealed a mass in her bladder wall containing a tubal ligation Filshie clip. At this point, doctors suspected the patient had pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition where infection spreads to the female reproductive organs. An ultrasound confirmed the presence of a tubo-ovarian abscess. The abscess was close to the bladder, which explained her severe pain.
During surgery, doctors discovered dense adhesions—thick, scar-like tissue—that had developed around the bladder wall and other parts of the abdomen. As they removed the infected tissue, they found that the Filshie clip had migrated from the fallopian tube and was embedded in the bladder wall, causing the abscess. They removed the Filshie clip and sent the patient home with a catheter.
The Journal of Medical Case Reports details another instance of Filshie clip migration. A 56-year-old woman had undergone sterilization 21 years earlier and had hernia repair surgery three years prior.
The woman saw her doctor with a painful lump in her right groin. A CT scan showed the Filshie clip from her tubal ligation procedure had moved into the hernia area. Doctors discovered the clip during surgery to repair the femoral hernia. Surgeons removed the device—but only after it had already caused multiple groin hernias.
Migration of Filshie clips used during tubal ligation occurs in 25% of all patients, according to Case Reports in Surgery. Migration can lead to severe complications like infections and abscesses. Doctors should consider this possibility in women with unexplained pelvic pain after sterilization, case reporters caution.
In 2022, a product liability lawsuit was filed against Filshie Clip makers on behalf of four women. The lawsuit claims the companies did not adequately warn patients about the risks linked to their tubal ligation devices, particularly the risk of clip migration after surgery.Additional claimants continue to come forward.
One claimant had a tubal ligation in 2008. In September 2021, during X-ray and CT scans for an unrelated issue, doctors discovered that one Filshie clip had migrated and embedded itself in her pelvic artery, while the other had moved into her abdomen. In January 2022, the woman underwent surgery to remove the clips. The procedure was unsuccessful because both clips were in positions too dangerous to safely remove.
During her tubal ligation surgery, the woman had signed a consent form acknowledging the risks and hazards associated with the procedure. However, the lawsuit claims that the form did not mention the risk of Filshie clip migration or the potential harm it could cause. The plaintiff also alleges that the product information sheet provided to her healthcare providers failed to disclose the known rate of Filshie clip migration.
Women who have undergone tubal sterilization should be informed about the risk of Filshie clip migration, even years after the procedure, so they can seek prompt medical attention if symptoms arise.Women should also know their rights to recover damages like costs of medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering when medical devices like Filshie Clips fail them.
By clicking the "I agree" and "Submit for Free Evaluation" buttons, I agree to the POLICIES AND DISCLAIMERS, including arbitration provision therein, and consent to receive marketing emails, calls and/or texts, including those made using an automated system and/or artificial/prerecorded voice messages, from or on behalf of Levin Papantonio regarding their services in response to my inquiry at the telephone number(s) provided above, even if currently listed on any state, federal or corporate Do Not Call registry. I understand my consent to receive automated marketing calls/texts is not required as a condition of purchasing any services. However, if I do not consent, then I must call the law firm directly at 800-277-1193 in order to obtain services. I can revoke my consent at any time.
Levin Law