Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States. In fact, over a million people undergo this surgical procedure each year.

However, more and more patients are reporting severe and sometimes debilitating hernia mesh complications.

What is a Hernia?

A hernia occurs when inner layers of a muscle become weakened and the underlying lining bulges through the weakened forming a sac. There are several types of hernias:

• Incisional: At an old surgical incision.
• Umbilical: Near the belly button.
• Inguinal: Groin.
• Femoral: High in the thigh.
• Recurrent: Previous hernia site.
• Bilateral: Both left and right sides.

How are Hernias Repaired?

A medical device, referred to as surgical mesh, is often used in hernia repair surgeries in order to ensure additional support to damaged or weakened tissue.

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different products used to repair hernias. Companies such as Ethicon, Davol, Gore Medical, and others each have a variety of products used for hernia repair surgery.

Hernia repair products can generally be divided into two categories: synthetic and biologic.

• Synthetic meshes: made of man-made materials, such as polyprolylene, ePTFE, composite mesh, or polyester fibers.
• Biologic implants: derived from donated human or animal dermis. Biologics are also referred to as human tissue implants, cadaver skin, pig skin, or porcine.

Hernia Mesh Complications

What causes the hernia mesh complications can vary depending on the type of mesh product. Many hernia mesh products contain a type of plastic known as polypropylene, the same material that is used to make many types of pelvic mesh and bladder slings.

Similar to pelvic mesh and bladder slings, various hernia mesh complications can occur depending on what part of the body the mesh is placed. The most commonly reported hernia mesh complications include:

• Infection, including sepsis. An infected hernia mesh almost always requires removal.
• Adhesions form to connect the bowel to the hernia mesh. Adhesions frequently form when ventral hernias are repaired with a coated mesh.
• Bowel Obstruction caused by adhesion formation. Evidenced by a change in bowel habits or the inability to defecate.
• Abdominal Pain is a sign of possible adhesion formation, a bowel obstruction, infection, or nerve damage.
• Leg, Groin, and Testicular Pain are all common to inguinal hernias repaired with mesh. This pain can be debilitating.
• Seroma is a fluid capsule surrounding the mesh. Seromas can be present with and without infection.
• Renal Failure has been observed in those implanted with large coated meshes. The coatings are absorbable and put a great deal of strain on the kidneys.
• Liver Abnormalities have also been documented in those implanted with coated hernia meshes. The liver is also responsible for cleansing the body.
• Joint Aches and Pain can be caused by increased systemic inflammation due to infection and an autoimmune reaction to the mesh.
• Meshoma is the migration, contracture, or bunching-up of an artificial mesh. Meshomas become hard, tumor-like bodies.

Do You Have a Claim?

If you or a loved one has suffered hernia mesh complications following a hernia repair surgery, contact a lawyer who has experience in dealing with such cases to have a clear understanding of your legal rights and ascertain if you are entitled for any compensation.

An experienced hernia mesh injury lawyer will have the required knowledge to review the cause of injury and evaluate if a hernia mesh caused the complications in your specific case.