Hernia Mesh
What is hernia mesh?
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. Hernias are common in both men and women and frequently require surgery to repair them as they do not go away on their own.
During surgery the hernia is removed or pushed back into the abdomen. The surgeon then closes the weakened abdominal muscles with a piece of mesh made of synthetic plastic called polypropylene that is sewn into place to strengthen the abdominal wall.
Signs you may have complications related to hernia mesh failure:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Rash or Irritation
- Infection
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Bulging
The Cleveland Clinic estimates more than 5 million Americans have hernias and each year 700,000 undergo surgery to have them repaired. Patients should be aware that the mesh failure doesn’t always happen right after the procedure. It can take months or years for the mesh to fail and complications to arise.
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Hernia Mesh Recalls
Across all U.S. manufacturers, over 200,000 units of hernia mesh were recalled between 2005 and 2018 due to mesh failures and related injuries to patients. Manufacturers recall their products if they discover a problem or if doctors and patients report serious issues and complications related to the defective mesh product.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency that tracks and reports drug and device related failures and issues. According to the FDA, the recalled mesh was the “main cause” of bowel perforation and obstruction which are some of the more severe issues that develop in hernia mesh patients.
Some common mesh failure complications are described in more detail below:
Moderate to Severe Pain:
The most common early warning sign of mesh related complications is pain and discomfort often accompanied by bruising and swelling in the area of the hernia. These symptoms may be connected to a rash or irritation on the skin near the surgical incision.Bowel Obstruction:
When hernia mesh migrates or moves from the original point of incision, it can cause bowel obstruction causing difficulty using the bathroom. Bowel obstruction is one of the more severe complications impacting hernia mesh patients.
Seroma:
A pocket of clear fluid known as a seroma may build up in the area of the hernia mesh surgery. The clear fluid is composed of blood and plasma that may have leaked out of the tissue indicating possible infection.
Infection:
Infection which may be accompanied by bleeding is a clear sign of hernia mesh related complications. Chronic infection typically causes redness, inflammation and fever like symptoms in the area around the surgical incision.
Erectile Dysfunction:
Men with inguinal hernias may see changes in their sexual ability related to hernia mesh complications including inability to become aroused or experiencing painful erections. Loss of sensitivity and difficulty achieving orgasm are also common, stemming from reduced blood flow caused by the defective hernia mesh.
Common types of hernias
Inguinal Hernia:
The intestine or bladder pushes through the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal.Incisional Hernia:
The intestine pushes through the abdominal wall at the site of the incision from a previous surgery.Femoral Hernia:
The intestine pushes into the femoral artery canal in the upper thigh.Umbilical Hernia:
The small intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at the navel or belly button.Hiatal Hernia:
Occurs when the upper stomach pushes through the hiatus .What Should You Do Next?
If you are experiencing one or more of the above complications, the first thing to do is contact your doctor to see if additional treatment or revision surgery is recommended. If hernia mesh failure is the culprit, it may be time to consider contacting an experienced hernia mesh attorney to file a claim for damages against the manufacturer of the defective hernia mesh. Below are a few steps you can take to prepare for filing your claim.
- Call Facility for Medical Records
- Document the Level of Your Injuries
- Contact RDP Law Group to discuss your case
