A woman has filed a lawsuit after her hernia mesh failure symptoms allegedly necessitated surgery to remove the mesh.

Plaintiff Kathy V. says she underwent a hernia repair in December 2009. The surgery included the implantation of Kugel Composix Mesh, which is made by Davol, Inc., a subsidiary of C.R. Bard. For the purposes of naming the company as one in the lawsuit, the complaint refers to the combined companies as Bard Davol.

She alleges she began to suffer from hernia mesh failure symptoms in April 2015. At that time, she says she began feeling pain in her abdomen near the area of the hernia repair. She saw she was bleeding from the hernia area and the hernia mesh had started to protrude through her skin, she alleges.

Kathy says she went to the hospital where she was evaluated. She had the mesh removed, but according to her complaint, she continues to need medical treatment for the hernia mesh failure symptoms and resulting complications.

According to Kathy’s lawsuit, the mesh “is inherently dangerous and defective, unfit and unsafe” to be used to aid in hernia mesh repair.

Dangerous Hernia Mesh Failure Symptoms

Kathy’s lawsuit alleges Bard Davol was negligent because the hernia mesh was unsafe for many reasons because the Kugel Composix Mesh purportedly caused:

• Adhesions to nearby internal organs;
• Erosion of nearby internal organs;
• Abdominal damage by perforating the abdomen;
• Deterioration and/or breakage within the human body;
• A subsequent surgery because the mesh’s design was insufficient to remain safe for lifelong use.

Bard Davol is further accused of failing to adequately research and test the mesh and to have a plan for the safe, effective removal of the mesh.

Kathy alleges neither she nor her doctor was warned of the risks or signs of hernia mesh failure symptoms. She says she has “suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, and will continue to suffer in the future.” She also allegedly has become liable for “large sums of money to treat her injuries.”

Details of Hernia Mesh Failure Symptoms

The Kugel Composix Mesh is made of polypropylene, a polyester substance linked to a variety of biomedical reactions. The body interprets the mesh as a foreign body and attacks the mesh, which causes the polypropylene to disintegrate over time.

In instances where the Kugel Composix Mesh Patch is used, the shrinkage of the mesh places stress on the inner ring that holds the mesh’s shape. Once this ring breaks, the ring allegedly can perforate the bowel and abdomen.

Polypropylene mesh originally was designed to allow scar tissue to grow through the mesh, creating a natural anchor inside the body.

Hernia mesh failure symptoms linked to the materials used and the mesh’s design purportedly can include:

• Chronic infections
• Chronic pain
• Recurrence of hernia
• Foreign body response
• Rejection
• Infection
• Scarring
• Improper wound healing
• Excessive, chronic inflammation
• Allergic reaction
• Internal organ adhesions
• Erosion
• Abscess
• Nerve damage
• Cancer
• Tissue damage
• Tissue death

The Hernia Mesh Failure Symptoms Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-07793, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois County Department, Law Division.