Hernia mesh is a popular surgical solution for individuals who have hernias. Most hernias that require surgical repair now involve hernia mesh. The purpose of hernia mesh is to provide support to the tissue that was damaged. Many hernia mesh options are made from synthetic materials and animal tissue. Some are absorbed by the body and some aren’t. There’s even a combination of materials that only partially absorbs. Non-absorbable hernia mesh is considered a permanent implant because it is supposed to stay in the body to reduce the likelihood that the hernia will reoccur. Using mesh is also supposed to help reduce recovery time for the patient. Although hernia mesh certainly sounds good in theory, the reality is that hundreds of thousands of people have been hurt by it.
Hernia Mesh Complications
By and large, the complications experienced by hernia mesh depend on the type of mesh used for the repair. First, we’ll look at some of the injuries and complications. Then, we’ll look at two specific hernia meshes.
Complications and injuries caused by hernia mesh include:
- Serious infections. This isn’t just an infection at the surgical site. This is also an infection within the body. This is a common complication whether hernia mesh is made from natural material (such as animal product) or synthetic material.
- Extreme pain. Of course, any surgical procedure can leave a patient in pain for some amount of time. Yet, hernia mesh has caused patients long-term excruciating pain even after the healing process is finished.
- Bowel obstruction. According to the FDA, bowel obstruction is one of the most common adverse events. This can also lead to bowel perforation. Bowel perforation can result in sepsis.
- Hernia mesh migration. This means that the hernia mesh moves from where it was originally implanted in the body.
- Adhesions are a form of scar tissue. It can cause the internal tissue to stick together or to the hernia mesh. This can cause serious pain for the patient.
Atrium and Ethicon are two hernia mesh manufacturers commonly named in lawsuits. Many plaintiffs allege that the companies didn’t properly warn doctors or patients about the risks associated with their products. C-QUR, an Atrium product, and Physiomesh, an Ethicon product, are hernia mesh options that received premarket clearance because there were similar devices already approved by the FDA. However, the FDA received reports that both products would break into pieces after implantation, ruptured, created bowel obstructions, and caused serious infections.
Hernia Mesh Recalls
C.R. Bard recalled Kugel hernia mesh from 2005 – 2007 because of the dangers of the broken mesh caused. During 2012, the FDA sent out a warning letter to Atrium for C-QUR and ultimately issued a Class 2 recall because of the health risks. In 2015, the FDA sued Atrium because of poor quality control. Ethicon withdrew its Physiomesh from the market in 2016 because of reported side effects.
Do You Have a Hernia Mesh Lawsuit?
If you were hurt or suffered from an infection after an operation that involved hernia mesh, contact Goldwater Law Firm to schedule your free case evaluation.