A patient claims that she was injured by a Bard Mesh PerFix Plug due to the defective nature of the device’s design.

Plaintiffs Joan and Ryan M. claim that Joan underwent a hernia repair surgery on or around Aug. 20, 2007, for a high inguinal hernia (a hernia in the right side of the groin) and was fitted with a medium size PerFix Plug, made by Bard. A hernia plug is a type of hernia mesh, a device used to repair a hernia by providing structure to the affected area.

A hernia is a medical condition in which organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in surrounding muscle or connective tissue. A hernia mesh is a medical device used to provide structural support to the body at the point of weakness.

Joan and Ryan go on to say that on Aug. 18, 2013, Joan had a surgery for release of the right uterosacral contracture (a side effect of surgery in which the ligaments around the uterus contract) to remove the abdominal mesh, as her body had had time to heal. Allegedly, during this surgery, the surgeon discovered that the Bard Mesh PerFix Plug had moved from where it was implanted and turned into a “meshoma,” a lump of tissue and hernia mesh.

Allegedly, this condition is caused by a defect in the Bard Mesh PerFix Plus. Joan claims that she “continues to suffer debilitating abdominal and pelvic pain that affects her everyday life,” and that she requires ongoing treatment, including pelvic physical therapy to help her recover from the injury incurred by the Bard Mesh PerFix Plug.

The Bard Mesh PerFix Plug defect class action lawsuit states that the device in question is a hernia mesh made from layers of polypropylene (lightweight plastic) patch and a pre-shaped propylene patch. The Bard hernia mesh class action lawsuit goes on to claim that though the company claims that the device is safe and effective, but research shows that this is not the case.

Allegedly, Bard claims that the material is inert and will not change when used in surgical procedures, but research shows that the material is “biologically incompatible with human tissue and promotes an immune response” in many people. Allegedly, this response causes the polypropylene mesh to degrade and contract, and can cause the surrounding tissue to contract. Allegedly, this occurrence can cause the tissue and mesh to form severe adverse reactions, like the “meshoma” lump of tissue and mesh experienced by Joan.

Joan and Ryan claim that further research suggests that hernia mesh designed in a “plug” form poses more risks to patients than hernia mesh designed in a flat form, which is the more common design.

Allegedly, Bard knew or should have known that the device could cause a serious, adverse immune response, but failed to warn doctors, regulatory agencies, and consumers about the health risks that the device posed.

The Bard Mesh PerFix Plug Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-cv-00464-BCW, in the U.S. District Court for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.