C.R. Bard faces a new Kugel mesh lawsuit alleging serious hernia mesh complications, which was filed by a woman from West Virginia alleging the company failed to warn her against these possibilities. The Kugel mesh lawsuit alleges C.R. Bard either knew or should have known that their hernia mesh product posed serious health risks to patients.

Plaintiff Debra R. had filed the Kugel mesh lawsuit soon after discovering that the device’s components may have triggered a hernia mesh infection, further compounding her health problems. Like many others, Debra had the Kugel mesh implanted for hernia repair and she says she had no reason to be wary of serious device complications.

According to the Kugel mesh lawsuit, Debra underwent hernia repair surgery on March 27, 2015, and had initially responded well to the device. However, this reportedly changed not long after due to the ePTFE sheet and polypropylene material of the mesh.

The polypropylene material was reportedly designed to promote muscle swelling and scarring in the abdominal wall, with the ePTFE coating intended to prevent adhesion formation and prevent the polypropylene material from contacting organs.

However, this very treatment mechanism has allegedly been causing the development of hernia mesh infections in numerous patients and further complicates their health condition. This was allegedly the case with Debra, who says she had to undergo hernia repair surgery on May 20, 2016 after the hernia mesh device reportedly failure.

Debra underwent revision surgery again on June 6, 2016, with surgeons noting the mesh “was completely unincorporated.” The Kugel mesh lawsuit further states that Debra will most likely need future revision surgeries due to the device complications.

Debra filed the Kugel mesh lawsuit soon after her June 2016 revision surgery after allegedly discovering that the ePTFE sheet and polypropylene material may have been the causes of her complications.

Overview of Hernia Mesh Complications

Surgical mesh has been used for hernia repair for decades, but the medical community has recently become concerned with the potential for device complications associated with the use.

While there could be a number of causes for hernia mesh complications, some believe it may stem from the polypropylene material often used as hernia mesh material. Polypropylene is often used for hernia repair because it spurs inflammation in the surrounding tissue, forming a strong bond around the mesh.

While the inflammation normally dissipates over time, an infection can occur if the inflammation continues. Hernia mesh inflammation can sometimes cause abdominal pain, with early signs of infection including lack of healing and heat radiating off of the incision site.

Patients suffering from hernia mesh failure often suffer flu like symptoms and even dental problems. A serious concern of hernia mesh infection is the formation of biofilms, or highly organized colonies of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Additionally, hernia mesh complications are often only able to be resolved through revision surgery, which carries a higher risk of infection. Debra states that she would not have opted for the Kugel mesh product, if she had known about the potential device complications.

Debra is raising multiple claims in her Kugel mesh lawsuit, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Kugel Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 5:18-cv-01210, in the U.S. District Court of Southern West Virginia.