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What is Hernia Mesh?
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or abdominal wall, causing a bulge. Common types of hernias are femoral (outer groin), inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach).
Some hernias are painless and can be addressed through medication and lifestyle changes. But every year more than a million patients in the U.S. undergo surgery to repair hernias. Most of these surgeries involve the use of an implant known as a hernia mesh, which is designed to support damaged tissue and keep the hernia from recurring.
There are many types of hernia mesh. Some are made from animal tissue, while others are composed entirely of synthetic materials, such as polypropylene. They come in different shapes and sizes, typically as sheets, plugs, or patches. They may be absorbable by the body, and thus intended for only short-term use, or non-absorbable, permanent implants.
The prevalent use of mesh in most hernia repair surgeries has helped to reduce reports of hernia recurrence. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also received numerous reports concerning complications in patients who’ve received hernia mesh implants, leading to hundreds of thousands of recalled units and thousands of lawsuits.
Possible Complications of Hernia Mesh
The lawsuits filed against hernia mesh manufacturers claim that their products, particularly certain synthetic forms of hernia mesh, are defective. Patients have reported that the mesh crumpled or failed to support the damaged tissue; migrated to another location in the body; caused pain, bleeding, and other problems; and, in many cases, required another surgery to remove the mesh. Some of the most common (yet serious) complications associated with hernia mesh include:
- Infection
- Adhesion
- Bowel obstruction or perforation
- Pain at the implant site
The Hernia Mesh Lawsuits
Complaints about defective hernia mesh involve a wide range of products, primarily manufactured by four companies: Atrium, Bard Davol, Covidien, and Ethicon. Several of these products have been recalled because of alleged defects; it is the contention of many of the plaintiffs that the companies knew the products were defective but failed to alert patients or their doctors.
Thousands of hernia mesh lawsuits are pending, many of them in three separate multidistrict litigation actions.
The Medical Device Lawyers at FDAzar
If you have experienced pain, surgical revision, or other complications from a hernia mesh implant, you may be entitled to compensation. By filing a lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call the experienced medical device attorneys at Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
