A hernia repair patient has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch, a medical device used to repair hernias, caused unexpected hernia mesh complications.

Plaintiff Kenneth B. claims that he underwent a hernia surgery on or around Jan. 10, 2014, during which a doctor implanted the Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch. The Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch, manufactured by Davol and Bard, and is one of many brands of mesh used in hernia repair. Allegedly, Kenneth experienced hernia mesh complications after his surgery that he claims are a result of a defect in the sewing of the E/X Mesh Patch.

Hernias occur when there is a weak spot in muscle of connective tissue that allows an organ, intestine, or fatty tissue to squeeze through. When a hernia occurs at the abdominal wall, they often are visible as a bulge in a person’s abdomen. One way in which hernias are repaired is via the use of hernia mesh, a material that is used to provide structure and support to weak muscle or connective tissue.

In some cases, hernia mesh is used as a permanent implant, and in other cases, hernia mesh is designed to be able to be absorbed into the body, only providing short term support, degrading after the hernia has healed.

Kenneth claims the design of the Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch is defective in such a way that allows the device to inappropriately break, causing injury to the patient’s body, and in some cases, migrate away from the intended location. The Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch is designed to be a permanent patch. Some patients like Kenneth claim it should not degrade in the ways seen in a number of patient cases.

Kenneth claims that after his hernia repair surgery, he experienced multiple hernia mesh complications, including visible bulging at the site of the surgery. His surgeon stated that he would have to undergo revision surgery to address the complications.

Kenneth claims that this revision surgery was necessary because of the device’s defects, and claims he was injured physically, emotionally, and financially because of the device’s defects. He claims that he likely will experience complications in the future as a result of the hernia mesh complications, beyond the need for revision surgery.

Kenneth notes that his is not the only patient claim of hernia mesh complications made about the Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch. Allegedly, numerous other patients reported similar complications to the ones experienced by Kenneth. He claims that because of these numerous claims, Davol and Bard knew or should have known that the device was defective, and continued to sell the device to medical providers and market it as safe and effective none the less. Kenneth claims that had he known that the device was defective, he would not have allowed his surgeon to use it during his hernia surgery.

The Bard Composix E/X Mesh Patch Defective Design Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-14176-RLR, in the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit, in and for Indian River County, Florida.