Hernia Mesh

Hernia Mesh Overview

A hernia occurs when an internal organ, fatty tissue, or an intestine forces its way through a weak spot, or a hole, in the muscle or surrounding tissue. Hernias often occur in the groin, upper thigh, abdomen, belly button, or through scars or incisions in any of these areas. While hernias are internal injuries, they can sometimes be seen externally as a slight bulge against the skin, especially when under strain. They are often caused by an increase in abdominal pressure due to lifting heavy objects, obesity, diarrhea, constipation, persistent coughing, or sneezing.

Hernias are a common injury, and more than one million hernia repairs are performed in the United States every year. Many of these repairs involve the use of surgical hernia mesh, which sometimes may come with side effects, to patch and reinforce the hole or weak area where the hernia occurred.

What Are Common Hernia Types?

There are a number of types of hernias, but the following are the most common:

• Inguinal (inner groin)
• Femoral (upper thigh/outer groin)
• Incisional (incision/scar in abdomen)
• Ventral (abdominal/ventral wall)
• Umbilical (belly button)
• Hiatal (inside abdomen along the upper stomach/diaphragm)

What Causes a Hernia?

Hernias are typically caused by a combination of two major factors: first, a weak spot or opening of the muscle or connective tissue; and second, pressure. This pressure allows an organ, intestine, or fatty tissue to be pushed through the opening or weak spot.

In some cases, the weak spot or opening was present at birth. More often, it is a result of other factors, such as obesity, lifting heavy objects, diarrhea or constipation, or consistent coughing or sneezing.

Factors that contribute to the likelihood of a hernia occurring include poor nutrition, smoking, and overexertion, which can weaken muscles and increase the risk of one of these weak spots forming.

How Are Hernias Treated?

After suffering from a hernia, many patients undergo hernia repair surgery. Hernia repair surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the U.S. Indeed, more than a million hernia repairs are done each year in the United States, the majority of which are for inguinal hernias. Treatment can be non-surgical, in which case everyone watches and waits to ensure that the hernia isn’t growing or causing further problems.

Surgical hernia repair includes laparoscopic surgery, using a series of small incisions, and open repair, which uses one larger incision. Either of these can be done without a surgical hernia mesh device, though the majority today are done with mesh.

What Is Surgical Mesh?

Hernia mesh is a type of surgical mesh used to repair hernias. Approximately 90% of hernia repairs each year involve the use of surgical mesh. The mesh may be made from a variety of materials, including animal tissue or synthetic materials. Animal mesh is made from the skin or intestines of pigs or cows, and is meant to be absorbed into the patient’s body after enough tissue growth has repaired the original weak point.

In contrast, mesh made from synthetic materials is a permanent implant that stimulates tissue to grow around it, reinforcing the repaired hernia. However, these permanent meshes may come with additional complications. Patients have reported mesh patches breaking, migrating, and perforating internal organs, as well as causing pain, adhesions, and infections.

Hernia Mesh Side Effects and Complications

Although hernia mesh is a commonly used medical device, the mesh may result in several serious complications for patients. These complications may include pain, inflammation, and swelling at the site of the hernia. The mesh may also cause scar tissue to form around the implant site. This scar tissue may cause the internal organs near the mesh to adhere to each other or to the mesh.

Hernia mesh may also degrade, break, or migrate. When the mesh breaks, sharp edges may perforate or puncture the surrounding internal organs, resulting in internal injuries and bleeding. Mesh migration or breakage may cause pieces of the mesh to separate from the site of the hernia and cause damage to other areas of the body.

There are many common side effects related to the use of hernia mesh. The most common complications caused by this surgical device are:

• Localized pain
• Infections
• Hernia recurrence
• Adhesion between internal organs and the mesh
• Blockages or obstructions of the large or small intestines
• Bleeding
• Fistula
• Fluid build-up or seroma at the site of the mesh
• Mesh breakage
• Mesh migration
• Perforation of internal organs or tissues

Bladder injuries have also been reported by many recipients of the mesh. According to some patients, the side effects of hernia mesh have been so severe that they have been left with permanent injuries and disabilities. Some estimates put the rate of hernia mesh complications at least 10%.

Due to these complications and injuries, some patients may opt for surgery to remove the mesh. However, when the mesh breaks or separates, it may become very hard to remove. Small pieces of mesh may migrate and adhere to organs, making it difficult or impossible for the mesh fragments to be removed without causing additional damage. These pieces may also cause blockages in the large or small intestines, as well as the bowel.

Hernia Mesh Recalls and Lawsuits

Many hernia mesh products have been recalled due to their related adverse reactions. More than 211,000 units of the surgical product were recalled between 2005 and 2018 following reports of internal injuries, infections, and other dangerous complications. In 2010, the FDA recalled several sizes of Bard flat hernia mesh after an investigation revealed that several lots of this mesh were counterfeit.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks reports of hernia mesh complications through its safety reporting program, MedWatch.

A growing number of patients are coming forward with allegations of major complications connected with the use of a hernia mesh device. Lawsuits have alleged that the manufacturers failed to adequately test the devices; either knew or should have known about the risks associated with their hernia mesh devices, but failed to adequately warn patients and the medical community about these risks; or even provided misleading safety information to doctors and patients about the risks. In some cases, plaintiffs have been awarded punitive damages, and other lawsuits have ended in settlement agreements.

Can An Attorney Help?

Patients may also be eligible to hire an attorney and file a class action lawsuit to pursue compensation for their injuries. Those who qualify to file lawsuits against mesh manufacturers may be able to recover financial damages for medical expenses, injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with medical issues, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.