C.R. Bard is facing a new Ventralex lawsuit, alleging that the product was defective and caused the claimant serious hernia mesh complications. The Ventralex lawsuit was filed by a man from Iowa, who alleges had the hernia mesh product implanted for typical treatment purposes but still suffered serious device complications.

The Ventralex lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Adam G., who says he sustained chronic complications from the company’s hernia mesh device and now has diminished his quality of life. Like many other patients, Adam says he had the Ventralex ST Mesh implanted for incisional hernia repair.

The Ventralex ST Mesh consists of a polypropylene coating, which is meant to spur inflammation in the abdominal wall tissue. This is meant to promote healing and help the mesh integrate properly with the body. According to the Ventralex lawsuit, this feature was discussed in Bard’s advertisements.

With these benefits in mind, Adam agreed to have the Ventralex ST Mesh implanted and underwent the surgery on June 8, 2015. However, just several months later, Adam says he had to undergo revision surgery for hernia recurrence on Aug. 12, 2015.

According to the Ventralex lawsuit, surgeons noted that the hernia mesh product had “retracted” and “crumpled” into the hernia. In addition, the surgeons allegedly could not remove the defective mesh because it was so deeply ingrained in the hernia.

According to the Ventralex lawsuit, the defective hernia mesh product was finally removed on June 18, 2017. Adam says he opted to file legal action against Bard, after discovering the company either knew or should have known that their hernia mesh product was potentially defective.

Overview of Hernia Mesh Complications

Many of the hernia mesh complications patients says they experience stem from the treatment mechanism spurred by the polypropylene material of the device. The inflammation caused by the coating is eventually supposed to dissipate, but it can sometimes lead to infection, alleges the Ventralex lawsuit.

Hernia mesh infection often causes the patient to experience flu like symptoms, while also preventing the incision site from properly healing. The hernia mesh complications patients can experience include:

• Chronic Pain
• Recurrence of Hernia
• Foreign Body Response and Rejection
• Infection
• Scarring
• Chronic Inflammation
• Allergic Reactions
• Adhesions on Internal Organs
• Mesh Erosion
• Abscess Formation
• Nerve Damage
• Tumor Formation
• Tissue Death

In addition to these serious side effects, highly organized bacterial colonies called biofilms can form. Biofilms can severely complicate the patient’s condition because they are resistant to antibiotics, and are often only resolved through revision surgery.

It is important to note that revision surgery is considered riskier than the initial implant procedure, due to higher risk of infection. Even though these hernia mesh complications pose serious health risks to patients, Bard is accused of failing to adequately warn the public against them.

At all times relevant, Adam claims, he and his physician relied on the marketing materials and product information provided by Bard. Adam states he would not have agreed to have the Ventralex ST Mesh implanted, if he had known the risk of hernia mesh complications. Adam’s Ventralex lawsuit is seeking multiple damages for counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Ventralex Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00439-JJM-PAS, in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island.